As days become hotter by the minute, we’re all looking for bites that’ll cool us off from that very first moment, and that is where raspberries step in. The ruby-red berries sport a sweet (and slightly tart) flavor that makes almost anything taste better without overwhelming your gut. More than that, they are rich in antioxidants and fiber, giving you a major health boost with each bite. And now that Raspberry Cream Pie Day(1) is upon us (on August 1st), we have every excuse in the world to enjoy the summer fruit in tons of delicious ways, from pies to salads. So, if you’re ready to jump in on the action, these five raspberry recipes are here to give your meals a pop of red color.
1. Raspberry-Glazed Chicken
There’s no denying that roasting chicken in lemon and herbs is great. But, have you ever tried glazing your poultry with raspberry-balsamic dressing? Trust us; this is a flavor combo that you don’t want to miss!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless chicken breasts, cut in fillets
- ½ tbsp dried garlic
- 2 tbsp ghee
- ½ tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup freeze dried raspberries
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
Directions:
- Add the raspberries and half a cup of warm water to a bowl and hydrate for 15 minutes.
- Heat a saucepan over medium heat and melt the ghee.
- Add the garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in the vinegar, raspberries, honey, and spices, and simmer for about 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
- Preheat the oven to 350oF.
- Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the chicken fillets. Season each one with salt and pepper (to your taste) and brush with two tablespoons of the dressing.
- Cook for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
2. Raspberry Cream Pie
If you didn’t make a raspberry cream pie on Raspberry Cream Pie Day, did you really do the whole thing right? Sure, whipping up a pie from scratch sounds like a lot of work, but this version requires nothing more than a light whisk, a little bit of layering, and a quick freeze.
Ingredients:
- 25 Graham crackers
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- ½ cup cream cheese
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup freeze dried raspberries
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Directions:
- Add the raspberries and 1 cup of water to a bowl and let them hydrate for 15 minutes. Squeeze away any excess liquid and set aside.
- Toss the crackers and butter to a food processor and blend until your form a dough. Then, spread it evenly on a pie dish.
- In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat with a hand mixer until creamy. In a separate bowl, add the heavy cream and beat until it turns stiff. Then, toss it with the cream cheese mixture and mix well. Spread it on top of the crust and refrigerate overnight.
- The next day, combine the cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Heat a saucepan over medium heat and add the granulated sugar and the raspberries. Bring to a boil and keep stirring, so the sauce doesn’t stick. Once boiling, stir in the cornstarch mixture. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Once cooked, set it aside to cool and, then, refrigerate until firm. Lastly, spread it onto the cream cheese layer and serve.
3. Raspberry Cashew Ice Cream
Let’s be honest: Summer without ice cream isn’t really summer. But, sometimes we want something a bit healthier. This recipe combines the best of both worlds by skipping heavy cream and, ultimately, delivers a treat that’s both delicious and healthy.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup freeze dried raspberries
- 1 cup non-dairy milk
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 ½ cups cashews
- 2 Medjool dates, pitted
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
Directions:
- Add the raspberries to a blender along with ¼ cup of water and blend until you form a thick pulp. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the blender and process until they are evenly combined.
- Pour the two mixtures into a container alternatively to form a nice-looking swirl.
- Then, place the container to the freezer for about 6 hours or overnight.
4. Brie + Raspberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Even though raspberries may not seem like a natural fit for grilled cheese, this recipe puts the fruit’s slightly acidic flavor to good use by pairing it with some buttery brie. This sweet-tangy combo may sound outlandish, but we believe it could become your new go-to.
Ingredients:
- 8 slices of bread
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup freeze dried raspberries
- 1 cup brie cheese, crumbled
- 2-3 tbsp maple syrup
Directions:
- Add one cup of warm water and the raspberries to a bowl. Let them sit for about 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze them as gently as possible to remove excess water and transfer them to a bowl. Mash them with the back of a fork until your form a chunky puree.
- Butter one side of each of the bread slices and place 4 of them butter side down and the remaining 4, butter side up.
- Top the first ones with a dollop of the crumbled brie, a tablespoon of the mashed raspberries, and drizzle with maple syrup. Place the remaining bread slices on top.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt one tablespoon of butter.
- Grill the sandwiches for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until the brie has melted.
5. Spinach, Raspberry, and Candied Pecan Salad
Candied pecans are always a great selling point, but in this recipe, it’s the spinach/raspberry combo that does all the work. Both ingredients add a refreshing touch to the mix and complement each other’s flavors.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups candied pecans
- 9 cups baby spinach
- ½ cup freeze dried raspberries
- 1/3 vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- ½ tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ ground mustard
Directions:
- In a bowl, add the raspberries and half a cup of warm water and soak them for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze away any excess liquid and set aside.
- Whisk all the ingredients (except for the pecans, spinach, and raspberries) in a bowl. Then, toss in the remaining ingredients and serve.
Which raspberry recipes you simply can’t resist trying? Let us know in the comments down below!
References:
- https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-raspberry-cream-pie-day-august-1/
- https://therealfoodrds.com/raspberry-balsamic-glazed-salmon-whole30/
- https://togetherasfamily.com/raspberry-cream-pie/
- https://thefeedfeed.com/lumadeline/peonies-and-vegan-raspberry-cashew-ice-cream
- http://girlinthelittleredkitchen.com/2015/04/brie-raspberry-and-honey-grilled-cheese-sundaysupper/
- https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/spinach-salad-with-raspberries-candied-walnuts/