USA PEARS AND EPICURIOUS.COM ENCOURAGE HOME COOKS TO CREATE "THE PERFECT PEAR" RECIPE THIS FALL
Pear lovers are invited to submit their best original pear recipe for a chance to win an Oregon wine country getaway
Editor’s note: Fresh pear photography and recipes (with photos) are available upon request.
PORTLAND, Ore. (September 24, 2010) – A new crop of USA Pears brings a new crop of recipes as Epicurious.com and the growers of USA Pears “pear” up to bring home cooks “The Perfect Pear” recipe contest this fall.
Pear lovers are invited to visit www.usapears.org to submit an original recipe with fresh, sweet, and juicy USA Pears as an ingredient for a chance to win the grand prize: a trip for two to Oregon’s wine country with accommodations at The Allison Inn and Spa and a $750 spa gift certificate, plus a VIP winery tour and tasting courtesy of Oregon’s landmark Domaine Serene winery. Delectable recipes taking the second and third place titles will win American Express Gift Cards valued at $1,000 and $500 respectively.
What’s more, USA Pears is providing creative inspiration: entrants can learn everything they need to know about how to craft “The Perfect Pear” recipe—and right from the contest website! With a detailed guide to the many varieties of USA Pears, entrants will find culinary tips and ideas to create the perfect pear dish to complement their chosen pear variety.
For example, did you know that aside from the Bartlett variety, most pears don’t change color as they ripen? The best way to judge ripeness for non-Bartlett pear varieties is to “Check the Neck.” Press the ‘neck’ or stem end of the pear, and if it yields to gentle pressure, then you know that your pear is ripe, sweet, and juicy!
Entries will be accepted through November 7, 2010. The culinary experts at Epicurious.com will judge the recipe entries, taking into consideration the following criteria: clarity of recipe instructions (25%); taste of finished recipe (25%); best interpretation of contest theme (25%); and, originality of recipe (25%).
Become a pear expert, craft a delicious pear recipe, and enter for a chance to win!
About Pear Bureau Northwest and USA Pears
The Pear Bureau Northwest was established in 1931 as a nonprofit marketing organization to promote the fresh pears grown in Oregon and Washington.
Today, the United States is the second largest pear-producing country in the world, and Oregon and Washington comprise the nation's largest pear growing region with 1,600 growers producing 84% of all fresh pears grown in the United States. Pears grown in these two Pacific Northwest states are distributed under the “USA Pears” brand.
Pears are an excellent source of fiber (24% DV) and a good source of vitamin C (10% DV) for only 100 calories per medium sized pear. Sweet and juicy with no fat, no sodium, and no cholesterol, pears are a perfect choice for a snack as well as for any course of any meal of the day.
To learn more and to find culinary insPEARation, visit www.usapears.org, and follow USA Pears on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usapears and Twitter @USApears.
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Media Contact: Cristie Mather, Director of Communications, Pear Bureau Northwest
503-652-9720; cmather@usapears.com
Pear Bureau Northwest prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, political beliefs, or disability. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the Pear Bureau at (503) 652-9720.