Wednesday, October 17, 2001

Contest calls for creativity and dried plums

In a large bowl, combine 3 cups creativity with 1 cup dried plums. Mix well until blended. Prep time: 30 minutes. Yields $1,000, if your recipe beats the competition's at the first annual Creative Cooking with Dried Plums Contest.

The California Dried Plum Board is sponsoring the contest where participants can submit one simple, plum-good recipe that includes dried plums and up to six additional ingredients. Recipes, which can vary from on-the-go snacks to decadent desserts to divine dinners, must also be pre-pared and cooked in 30 minutes or less.

"The Creative Cooking with Dried Plums Contest is designed to get America thinking about and engaged in cooking with dried plums," Peggy Castaldi, Director of Marketing, said. "People are beginning to recognize the versatility that dried plums have in cooking. Whether enjoyed as a snack or in a recipe, they add essential nutrients and new flavors to your favorite, everyday foods. We hope this competition will open America's eyes to all the delicious possibilities."

With the trend moving towards healthier eating, incorporating nutritious ingredients into meals is often an easy way to stay fit, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and get your recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Dried plums are packed with a variety of important vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, copper, magnesium, potassium, fiber and iron. They are also cholesterol-, sodium- and fat-free, and high in antioxidant power.

Participants can submit their unpublished, original recipes at www.CaliforniaDriedPlums.org and, at the same time, become eligible to win daily online giveaways. Entries can also be mailed and must be postmarked by November 30, 2001, to the California Dried Plum Board, P.O. Box 2370 San Francisco, CA 94126-2370. Mail-in entries are not eligible for the online giveaways.

The contest winner will receive a $1,000 cash grand prize and ten winners will win a plum purple Sharp Half-Pint Microwave. All winning recipes will be featured on the Web site.

For more complete contest rules, information about dried plums, or the Creative Cooking with Dried Plums Contest, visit www.CaliforniaDriedPlums.org.

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