Pork and Beans recipe contest is back!

Following last year's tremendous response - with more than 150 recipes pouring into the 2008 New Pork & Beans Recipe Challenge - the Nebraska Pork Producers Association and Nebraska Dry Bean Commission have launched pork and beans recipe contest.

They've also increased the number of prizes so more tasty creations can be recognized.

“We discovered – and enjoyed – everything from pizza to soup to Southwestern salads a year ago. There were so many top-notch recipes that we felt another recipe challenge would give everyone a chance to share their favorite updated and improved pork and beans recipes and have an opportunity to win $1,000 and other prizes,” Jane Reeson of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association said in a news release.

Lynn Reuter of the Nebraska Dry Bean Commission said the combination of pork and beans has been around for generations because the two go together so well. “Pork and beans provide a high protein, high fiber and low fat base for all sorts of wonderful flavors and nutritious meals,” she said. “We’re looking forward to this year’s entries and can’t wait to see what pork and bean creations people cook up.”

To enter, recipes must use either boneless pork loin or tenderloin and any dry edible bean, canned or dry-packaged. Entries are due by July 15.

Click here for the details.

Did you know? ...Nebraska is the country’s top producer of great northern beans and a leading producer of pinto, light red kidney, black and navy beans.

Photo: Jerk Pork Tenderloin with Black Beans and Pineapple & Cucumber Salsa. Want the recipe? Click here.