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A Fresh Take on Fresh Berries Recipe Contest
| Meet the Blogger | More Posts by Lindsay Robison
Thanks to everyone who entered the recipe contest! We loved trying your creations. Congratulations to our winners: Blackberry: Kerry G, Peppery Blackberry Flatbread Blueberry: June S, Berry Dreamy Blueberry Cornbread Raspberry: Annais S, Fresh Raspberry Avo-Lemon Tart Strawberry: Nikki G, Ginger Lemon Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles Mixed Berries: Liz H, Berry Beet Salad
One of the things I most look forward to in the summer is enjoying ripe, organic berries. Whether I’m slicing up strawberries to top on ice cream, rinsing blueberries to go in my favorite smoothie (the Double Green Smoothie for the record!) or turning plump raspberries into finger puppets like I did as a kid, fresh berries bring me such joy.
But beyond the simple joys of fresh berries, I love using their bright flavors to get creative in the kitchen, so I’m thrilled we’re hosting a recipe contest to see what you do to get creative with organic berries. You just might win a $250 Whole Foods Market gift card! The contest asks you to think far beyond morning yogurt parfait, simple fruit salad or berry ice cream. Instead, dream up unique ways to show off these colorful summertime gems. Pick one of five categories to enter (only one entry per person) – blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and mixed (two or more of the berries). We’re looking for big berry flavor, which is why we’re challenging you to keep things simple.
That means seven ingredients or less and no refined sugar! Are you up for it? You have until Friday, June 15 at 5 PM CDT to submit your recipe and recipe photo on the contest page. We’ll pick one winner from each category to receive a $250 Whole Foods Market gift card. Make sure to visit the contest page for the complete rules and to submit your recipe.
Here are some berry delicious recipes to get your creative juices flowing:
Whether you’re growing your own salad vegetables in your backyard or swinging by the store to get them fresh before dinner, having Strawberry-Balsamic Dressing on-hand to dress them will elevate any ho-hum side salad to the main event.- Beat the heat with a refreshing berry mocktail that brightens up with the addition of fresh mint in this Blueberry Summer Refresher.
- Sweet, baked breakfast and brunch summertime goodies can be good for people with special diets too. Gluten-Free Baked Berry French Toast will be a hit with the whole crowd.
- Enjoy the sweetness of dessert without the guilt. Maple syrup and sweet dates highlight this Raw Berry Crisp.
Gazpacho doesn’t need to mean dicing up the tomatoes. Enjoy this cool soup with organic strawberries in Strawberry Melon Gazpacho.- Sometimes a little heat brings out the sweet, which is the case for this Watermelon and Strawberry Salad with Chile Vinaigrette.
Are you bursting with berry creativity? Submit your recipe on the contest page. I can’t wait to taste them!
70 Comments
Comments
Kale handful
garlic(2-3) cloves
olive oil
raspberries and strawberries
rice
saute kale and garlic in olive oil
cook brown rice ...1 cup to two cups water
top with fresh cool strawberries and raspberries
beautiful , full of everything you need and great taste contrasts
06/07/2012 10:59:16 AM CDT
Does baking powder count as an ingredient? Thank you.
06/07/2012 1:04:56 PM CDT
@Donna Yes, baking powder counts as one of the ingredients.
06/07/2012 4:22:39 PM CDT
Healthy Mousse with Raspberries:
(serves 4)
3 Avocados
3 Dates
Carob (or cocoa) powder (to taste/1-2 Tbsp)
Raspberries
Optional: drizzle raw honey or maple syrup on top (but plenty sweet as is)
In a VitaMix blender, process avocado, dates, and carob powder until smooth. Scoop into serving bowls. Top with raspberries in the shape of a smiley face.
Yummy!
06/07/2012 5:50:40 PM CDT
Blueberry milkshakes are a summer must!
Vanilla Icecream
milk
fresh bluberries
Blend all together untill smooth.... YUM!
06/07/2012 8:00:10 PM CDT
@Megan Myers - still looking for help to get recipe and photo uploaded, please. Is there a minimum photo size? Using a jpg file with no characters in the file name besides letters. Trying to figure out what the problem is. Any help?
06/07/2012 8:19:06 PM CDT
One more question. Does water count as an ingredient for the 7-list restriction? :) Thank you!
06/07/2012 8:48:32 PM CDT
Hi, you say "no refined sugar" and the recipes Ive seen so far on the commetns section almost aLL INCLUDE sugar. So my question is: can sugar be included or not? I want to make sure my recipe's not disqualified!
06/08/2012 6:52:12 AM CDT
If I enter the "Multiple Berry" category must I count each separate berry as 1 if the 7 items or may I say "1 cup of mixed berries containing x, y &z" and count that as 1 item? With such a short list of 7, having to list each separately would put us "multis" at a disadvantage! Thank you!
06/08/2012 7:38:02 AM CDT
Holly…shhhh. : ) Good luck!
06/08/2012 7:43:38 AM CDT
@Laurial No, water does not count!
06/08/2012 8:30:18 AM CDT
@Laura and anyone else having issues uploading contest photos: Please send them to berries@wholefoods.com. Make sure to paste your recipe in the email as well so we can keep it all together. Sorry for the trouble!
06/08/2012 10:12:01 AM CDT
BERRY CARROT CAKE
INGREDIENTS
2 cups white sugar
2 cups flour
½ teas. Salt
2 teas. cinnamon
2 teas baking soda
1 & 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup crushed berries(drained)
3 cups grated carrots
4 eggs
1 cup of chopped walnuts
DIRECTIONS
Mix cake ingredients by hand; pour into greased and floured 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes. This cake can be hard to test because it’s so moist, so I use a glass pan (so I can see if the bottom is getting too brown). You can test to see if the cake is done by gently jiggling it when removing it from the oven. If it’s not done, the middle will bounce. Mix frosting ingredients (1 stick butter [room temp], 8 oz. cream cheese [room temp], 1 teas vanilla, 3 cups powdered sugar) until smooth; frost a thoroughly cooled cake.
06/08/2012 10:13:35 AM CDT
@LyzaJo Please make sure to enter your recipe via our contest page, http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/berries/
06/08/2012 10:23:40 AM CDT
@Ann Yes, each berry counts as a separate ingredient. Good luck!
06/08/2012 10:46:15 AM CDT
Strawberry coolers are a big hit at any party. They are cool, refreshing, and delicious!
What you need...
-2 cups chilled orange juice
-1 1/2 cups strawberries (fresh)
-1 tablespoon of organic sugar or sucanat
-1 1/2 cups chilled ginger ale
In a blender, mix orange juice, strawberries, and sugar; blend until the berries are pureed. Then place the puree in a pitcher and mix the puree with the ginger ale. Mix until well combined, serve over ice. Enjoy!!!
06/08/2012 2:40:34 PM CDT
Chocolate raspberry tofu pie..... :)
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
1 12.3-ounce package firm silken tofu
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup frozen raspberries, thawed
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 9-inch graham cracker pie crust
If you want, you can use fresh raspberries for garnish.
1. Put chocolate chips in a medium microwavable bowl. Microwave on Medium for 1 minute. Stir, then continue microwaving on Medium, stirring every 20 seconds, until melted.
2. Place tofu in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Add the melted chocolate, maple syrup and vanilla. Process again until smooth. Add raspberries and confectioners’ sugar and process until very smooth; scraping down the sides as necessary. Spread the mixture into the crust. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
06/08/2012 2:46:39 PM CDT
This is an amazing blackberry summer salad. Light and delicious. Enjoy!!
Ingredients
3 cups baby spinach, rinsed and dried
1 pint fresh blackberries
6 ounces crumbled feta cheese
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 green onion, sliced
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)
Directions
1. In a large bowl, toss together baby spinach, blackberries, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, green onion, and walnuts.
06/08/2012 2:54:02 PM CDT
Megan, I was not able to submit my entry using the Whole Foods website entry form - I kept receving the message “be sure your image is a jpg.” It is a jpg and a smaller file than the maximum size. I emailed it to the address you provided berries@wholefoods.com. Is this ok? Or can you tell me how to get around this error I keep receiving?
Thank you for your time!
06/09/2012 6:06:33 PM CDT
I guess I had a question about the contest. The rules say that the recipes have to highlight "fresh" berries. Does that mean that the berries have to be raw? Or can it be a recipe with cooked fresh berries?
I honestly only use berries and fruits in cooked meals with meat, like turkey or chicken with berries. I'm not sure if I can come up with less than 7 ingredients.
Pepper is considered a staple. Does that include lemon pepper?
06/10/2012 5:42:37 AM CDT
I had issues submitting via the website as well. Would not let me upload the image, so thank your for providing an alternative way to submit the recipe. Just sent it to you!
I see that the deadline is 6/15, but when do you anticipate the winners being announced? I apologize if that is listed and I somehow overlooked the information.
Thanks
06/10/2012 2:12:56 PM CDT
@Izabol Cooked berries are fine - we want to make sure you highlight fresh berries from the produce section, not frozen berries. Lemon pepper would be counted as an ingredient because it is a special spice blend rather than just pepper.
06/11/2012 9:50:50 AM CDT
@Rhonda Yes, the e-mail address is the easiest way to get your image in if you're having issues uploading. We're working with our IT team to get the uploading problem resolved, but we don't know when it will be fixed. Thanks!
06/11/2012 9:52:44 AM CDT
How can I find out if my entry on June 8, 2012 was submitted sucessfully with the photo? "Berry Best Angel Cake"
06/11/2012 11:18:49 AM CDT
Black and Blueberry Crumble
- Freshly sliced pineapple sliced in small chunks with a little juice
- 1 pint fresh blueberries
- 1 pint fresh blackberries
- 365 yellow cake mix
- ¾ cup of chopped pecans
- Drizzle Agave over the pecans
- 1 stick melted butter
Layer this recipe in the exact order. That’s it super easy and fast!
Bake at 350 in a 13x9 pan for 30 minutes then poke with fork and continue to bake for another 15 minutes until golden brown.
06/11/2012 4:11:56 PM CDT