This Spud's For All of You: "2012 Is the Year of the Potato"

DENVER, Jan. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Restaurant Hospitality magazine, 2012 will be the year of the potato. While the restaurant industry experiments with make-your-own mashers with mix-ins and custom-cut chips with made-to-order dips, the at-home cook can celebrate the spud by using the United States Potato Board's (USPB) brand-new, searchable recipe database to find different ways to put potatoes on the plate every day.

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"Our new recipe database allows searching by course, potato type, preparation method, protein type, cuisine and even specialty requirements like gluten-free, low-sodium and kid-friendly," said Meredith Myers, public relations manager for the USPB. "Maybe you have a bunch of red potatoes on hand, and want or need a kid-friendly meal but have no desire to turn on the oven. Our searchable database would lead you right to a perfect solution - our Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes recipe, for example."

With hundreds of potato recipes to choose from, it's easy to begin experimenting with new potato dishes. Plus, at 110 calories, America's favorite side dish is packed with essential vitamins and minerals.  One medium-size (5.3 ounce) skin-on potato boasts more potassium than a banana and almost half your daily value of vitamin C (45 percent), and absolutely no fat, sodium or cholesterol.

To search the recipe database and subscribe to the USPB's weekly recipe email, visit www.potatogoodness.com. You can also find the USPB on Facebook at www.facebook.com/potatoestatersandspuds.

The United States Potato Board (USPB) was established in 1971 by a group of potato growers to promote the benefits of eating potatoes.  Recognized as an innovator in the producer marketing industry, the USPB adopted a new campaign in 2007. "Potatoes… Goodness Unearthed®" showcases the appeal of naturally nutrient-rich potatoes, also known as America's favorite vegetable.  Based in Denver, Colo., the USPB represents more than 4,000 potato growers and handlers across the country. To unearth more goodness about the USPB and its programs, visit www.potatogoodness.com.

SOURCE United States Potato Board