A recipe for Idaho Potato Plank Bruschetta turned out to be worth $5,000.
The Eagle-based Idaho Potato Commission awarded $7,500 in prizes to winners of its second Watching Waistlines & Wallets recipe contest.
Kelly Mapes, a home cook from Fort Collins, Colo., took home the grand prize for the bruschetta made with fresh russets instead of bread.
After launching the contest in January, TV food personality Art Ginsburg, also known as Mr. Food, also wrapped up the contest June 18 by announcing the winners on his syndicated food segment.
In addition to Mapes’ top prize, the commission awarded $1,500 to runner-up Nadine Mesch or Mt. Healthy, Ohio, for her Cilantro, Lime Chicken and Idaho Potatoes. Five entrants were given $100 as honorable mentions:
The commission held its first Watching Waistlines & Wallets contest in 2005, and had about 1,150 entries, said Frank Muir, president and chief executive officer. This year’s contest broke that record with 1,450 recipes submitted.
“This is, again, building on what’s happening with the recession and how affordable potatoes are, and also how nutritious,” Muir said.
Word about the contest spread virally on the internet through bloggers, and also through Ginsburg, who publicized the contest on his show. Ginsburg led the judging, accompanied by a registered dietician and the commission’s public relations team, Muir said.
The recipes had to feature an Idaho potato product — fresh, frozen or dehydrated — and had to contain equal to or fewer than 10 ingredients. They were judged on originality, taste, ease of preparation, overall healthfulness and total cost of the ingredients.
“The recipes are just incredible,” Muir said.
The winning recipes are available on the commission’s site, www.idahopotato.com/wwaw_contest.