EAGLE, ID, June 23, 2010 - Trout Lake, WA's own Margee Berry won an Honorable Mention in the Idaho Potato Commission's (IPC) "Watching Waistlines & Wallets" Recipe Contest for her Warm Wilted Idaho® Potato and Spinach Salad recipe. From savory soup to a finger-licking good appetizer to a hearty main course meal, the IPC's first online recipe contest received more than 1,450 recipe submissions from Idaho® potato lovers across the country.
Fitness guru Denise Austin and television icon, Mr. Food (aka Art Ginsburg) helped launch the online contest that challenged health-conscious and resourceful home chefs to create innovative and easy-to-prepare Idaho® potato recipes that are easy on the waistline and the wallet. Each recipe was required to use Idaho® potatoes as a main ingredient (fresh, frozen or dehydrated) and have no more than 10 ingredients. All submissions were judged on originality and taste, ease of preparation, overall healthfulness and the approximate total cost of the ingredients. The contest ran from January 25, 2010 until April 30, 2010.
"The winning recipes really showcase the excellent nutritional value, affordability and versatility of America's favorite potato, the Idaho® potato," said Frank Muir, President and CEO, IPC. "Challenging economic times have prompted many to sharpen their cooking skills and get more creative with staples that have always been a bargain like Idaho® potatoes - a low-cost, nutrient-dense food that can be served at any meal. The winning recipes are fantastic! Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who submitted an entry."
Bursts of unexpected flavor and crunchy texture tipped the point scale on the judges' scorecards for Berry's spinach salad. Another plus is that the dish is prepared in three easy steps! Bite-sized Idaho® potato cubes are sauteed with sliced mushrooms. The savory saute is then placed atop a bed of fresh baby spinach and spinkled with minced onions, crumbled feta and crunchy flax seeds. Drizzle a perfectly balanced warm balsamic dressing to complete the dish.
For her waistline- and wallet-friendly recipe, Berry received a cash prize of $100 and autographed copies of Denise Austin's new book, Denise's Daily Dozen, and Mr. Food's latest cookbook, Mr. Food TV Favorites.
To view all the "Watching Waistlines & Wallets" Recipe Contest's winning recipes, visit www.idahopotato.com/wwaw_contest.
About the IPC
The Idaho Potato Commission is a state agency that is primarily responsible for expanding the markets for Idaho®-grown potatoes through advertising, promotion and research. The Commission also protects the use of the "Idaho® potato" and "Grown in Idaho®" seals, which are federally registered Certification Marks that belong to the IPC. These Marks ensure that consumers are puchasing potatoes that have been grown in the state of Idaho. For more information visit www.idahopotato.com.
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