Pecans
not only taste good, they're also good for you! Because recent research and health
professional recommendations have shown that pecans can and
should be part of a heart-healthy diet, the National Pecan Shellers
Association (NPSA) is seeking great pecan recipes from Kids,
Consumers, and Food
professionals/Culinary students….and we don't mean pecan pies,
chocolate turtles or fruitcake. NPSA
is looking for the “nuttiest” but tastiest non-dessert, non-candy
and non-fruitcake recipes around.
Kids (ages 6-15) Consumers (ages 16 and up) and Food
Professionals/Culinary Students are invited to enter the “I
Can Use Pecans in THAT?” contest.
Two winners from each category will win a CASH prize.
Deadline for entry is
July 13, 2001.
But wait, there’s more.
Did you know that pecans, loved for centuries for their
delectable taste, should be part of a healthy diet?
There’s no reason to wait for the holidays, to enjoy the
great taste of pecans – they can be enjoyed year-round.
Pecans.
So Good. So Good For You.
Four-fifths of the fats found in pecans are the
unsaturated fats – the “good-for-you” fats and the type health
professionals recommend. Research
from New Mexico State University has shown that pecans can help lower
cholesterol. And,
University of Georgia researchers found that pecans contain plant
sterols – widely touted for their cholesterol lowering ability.
Pecans contain over 19 vitamins and minerals including vitamin
A, vitamin E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus,
potassium, zinc and several B vitamins.
Pecans are cholesterol-free, sodium-free and provide 10 percent
of the Daily Value for fiber
Fortunately, there are countless ways to
incorporate pecans into just about any meal or snack.
From tossing pecans over a favorite salad to sprinkling pecans
on pizza (and every possibility in-between), pecans add unmistakable
zest and flavor – and not to mention a powerful nutrition punch –
to a variety of recipes. Here
are some simple ways to include the sweet, savory taste and
nutritional benefits of pecans in your favorite dishes:
·
Enliven a favorite salad with a handful of pecans.
·
Include pecans in your favorite bread or muffin recipe
for extra crunch and flavor.
·
Sprinkle pecans on oatmeal or your favorite breakfast
cereal.
·
Top appetizer-size pizzas with shredded mozzarella,
fresh oregano and chopped pecans before baking.
·
Sprinkle pecans over a wild rice casserole.
·
Mix toasted pecan halves with popcorn on your next movie
night.
·
Garnish potato soup with minced pecans and caramelized
onions.
·
Encrust pork tenderloin in chopped pecans and bread
crumbs before roasting.
·
Cover a cheese ball with pecans to improve appearance
and flavor.
·
Add pecans to the top of chocolate brownies before
baking.
·
Brush chicken breast tenders with olive oil and roll in
a mixture of bread crumbs, pecans and grated Parmesan cheese before
baking.
·
Combine ground pecans with parsley and green onions,
thicken with olive oil and spread on salmon fillets before grilling.
·
Make your own pecan praline sundae by topping vanilla
ice cream with toasted pecan pieces and caramel sauce.
If we’ve peaked your pecan interest, log onto
http://www.ilovepecans.org
to learn more about the “I Can use Pecans in THAT?” contest and
how to enter. While
there, be sure to check out the nutritional information, tips for
buying and storing, where to find pecans and other “nutty facts”
also available on the site.
