Things You'll Need
Raisins
Clean cutting board
Large knife
Vegetable oil
Airtight container
Dish soap
Raisins were produced as early as 2,000 B.C. in Persia and Egypt. Rich in antioxidants, low in sodium and cholesterol free, raisins can be used as a healthier substitute for cane sugar in a variety of food and dessert recipes. While using raisins instead of sugar imparts a slightly fruity flavor to food items, it is surprisingly minimal, and some recipes even benefit from the added flavor.
Step 1
Place 1 cup of raisins on a clean cutting board.
Video of the Day
Step 2
Lightly oil the blade of a large knife with vegetable oil. The knife shouldn't be dripping, just coated enough so that the blade shines.
Step 3
Chop the raisins as small as possible, cleaning and re-oiling your knife with vegetable oil if necessary. No large chunks should be left on the cutting board.
Step 4
Transfer the raisins to a large airtight container.
Step 5
Wash your knife with hot water and dish soap.
Step 6
Repeat the procedure for the desired amount of raisins. A 15-oz. box of raisins should be chopped in two separate intervals. Avoid chopping more than 1 cup at a time.
Step 7
Add 25 percent more of the chopped raisins than the recipe calls for in sugar. For example, if the recipe calls for 1 cup of sugar, add 1 1/4 cups of finely chopped raisins in its place. Prepare the recipe as normal.
Tip
Vary the amount of chopped raisins used to replace sugar based on personal taste.
Chopped raisins should be stored in an airtight container for no more than 90 days, as they tend to dry out and lose a bit of their flavor. Don’t chop more raisins than you think you will need in that period of time.
Video of the Day