Craving Craisins

So who doesn't like Craisins - those sweetened dried cranberries from Ocean Spray? Bartleby, my two-and-a-half year old son, just dumped a bag of them on the floor today. Ok, he did it twice today and I made him pick them up and throw them out after the second time because that was a clear violation of the 30 second rule. He happily tripped over to the garbage can because it was a task from heaven - he's obsessed with Craisins and the kitchen garbage can. But did you know that here in the heart of the Midwest Craisins are considered gourmet food? It's true.

Lincoln and I were invited to an affair at a spiffy place in the modest downtown area of our modest Midwestern city. A few weeks before the event, the menu selection was sent around. The choices for entree: fish or steak. Dessert: creme brulee or the local brand of ice cream (which is excellent, by the way) Starter: lobster bisque or salad with goat cheese and Craisins. I had to read it twice. Craisins! Who announces they put Craisins in a salad? Michigan-dried cherries - yes! But Craisins?!

It's almost impossible to take a dining experience seriously when you know that Craisins will be featured. I spent two weeks strategizing my clothes, makeup and hair because I think it's been a year since I went to anything requiring me to put on pantyhose. But every time I purchased something for the event (blouse, new bra, eyeliner, said pantyhose) I thought, "I'm getting all dressed up to eat Craisins." What a buzz kill.

The event was lovely, although totally mediocre from a food standpoint, starting with the Swedish meatball appetizers (might have guessed) and the unknown thing-in-a-puff that tasted oddly like baked Craisin. When it arrived, I discovered the Craisins were discreetly buried in the salad leaves and were treated as a completely separate component from the goat cheese. They didn't even try to make them exciting. At least the salad had goat cheese, unlike 99 percent of Midwestern salads which have shredded cheddar sprinkled on top.

Unlike Michigan dried cherries, Craisins are pretty inexpensive. They add tang to a salad and are not devastating from a nutrition standpoint. Craisins are, as Ocean Spray claims, naturally free of fat and cholesterol, are real fruit (1/3 cup serving is equal to one serving of fruit) and can help keep you regular. Basically, they are carbs (33g per serving) of fruit and added sugar with fiber (3g). Calorie-wise you're looking at 130 per serving.

To make Craisins dress to impress, try a JuicyChiken spin on Craisin and goat cheese salad:

1 bag of mixed greens, washed and dried
1/3 Cup of Craisins
1/4 Cup Sherry vinegar
2 T Sesame oil
1/2 tube of Trader Joe's Light Goat Cheese

Add the Craisins to the greens. In a small bowl, whisk together the sherry vinegar and sesame oil, add pieces of goat cheese and break up with whisk. Combine goat cheese so that mixture is clumpy. Pour over greens and mix.