Varieties

• There are many different varieties of fruits that are modernly dried. More common examples include raisins, apples, bananas, pineapple, apricots, figs, prunes and blueberries. Some fruits such as apples and pineapple have added sulfur to help maintain the fruit's overall color and give it a longer shelf life. Also, some companies will add flavorings and sweeteners to their fruit to make it more appealing. For example, dried cranberries can be found with an added orange flavoring, making them ideal for use in cranberry-orange muffins and coleslaw.

Savory

• Combining dried fruit with onions and spices to add to meat is referred to as a savory dish. Popular dried fruits to use in savory dishes include apples and cranberries. Cranberries are an exceptional addition to rice, as they give the overall dish a tart flavor. Try stuffing pork chops with dried apples that have been sauteed with butter, onion, and apple cider or an exceptional dinner. Sun-dried tomatoes offer a flavor surpassed by none for salads and pasta dishes alike. For a quick and easy dinner, combine your favorite cooked pasta with olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh Parmesan cheese.

Baking

• Dried fruits can be added directly to most baked dishes. If working with larger fruits such as apricots, there may be some dicing required so that the fruit is bite-sized and mixes well into the batter. Dried blueberries and apples can be added to pancake batter for a taste bested only by fresh fruit. Finally, yearly fruitcake recipes would not be the same without the dried fruits selected for those rich treats.

Rehydrating

• When desiring a fuller looking fruit, rehydration is a must. To rehydrate berries, place in a microwave safe container with just enough water to cover them and cover the top with a lid or plastic wrap. Heat for 1 minute, and allow to sit for 10 minutes as the berries soak up the water. Then add the mixture directly to your batter. When placing dried fruits in stews or soups, they will naturally rehydrate using the liquid in the dish. Be sure to carefully watch these dishes to ensure that the liquid is not completely absorbed.