The results are in!

The judges have made their decision and the winner of the first annual Crystal Dairy Heart Healthy Recipe Contest sponsored by the American Heart Association and Foster Farms Dairy, is...

Grand Prize: Kim B. from Modesto and her Creamy Parmesan Vegetable Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Honorable Mention: Roxanne C. from Albany and her Ginger Pineapple Dessert Soup
Honorable Mention: Jamie M. from Napa and her Pasta & Salad Pasta Salad

Thank you to everyone who entered. Keep an eye out for the second annual Crystal Dairy Heart Healthy Recipe Contest and keep up on other contests and events by liking us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CrystalTheCoolCow. Enjoy our winners' recipes below!

Creamy Parmesan Vegetable Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

4 medium sweet potatoes
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1 cup Crystal fat free cottage cheese
1/3 cup Crystal low fat milk
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon garlic and herb salt free seasoning
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 cup minced chives
1 tablespoon minced fresh tarragon leaves
Herb salt-free seasoning, optional
4 tablespoons Crystal fat free sour cream or if preferred, Crystal low fat yogurt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Wash sweet potatoes and piece with a fork. Microwave on a paper towel 5 minutes, turn sweet potatoes and cook an additional 5 minutes or until the potatoes are soft. Place sweet potatoes into a baking pan.

Meanwhile, place broccoli and red peppers into a 4-cup microwave-safe container, add 1⁄2 cup water, cover with plastic wrap, and cook on HIGH for 3 minutes. Remove cover and drain broccoli and red pepper in a colander. Place broccoli and red pepper back into the 4-cup microwave-safe container.

In blender, combine cottage cheese, milk, lemon juice, 2-tablespoons Parmesan, salt free seasoning, salt, and crushed red pepper; blend until smooth. Pour sauce over broccoli and red peppers. Stir in chives and tarragon. Cut a slit lengthwise through each sweet potato; push ends inward to form a pocket. Scoop about 1⁄4-cup sweet potato from each potato and stir into the broccoli mixture. Divide veggie mixture and stuff into each sweet potato in baking pan. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

"I can’t remember a time without Crystal milk products; after all I’ve lived in Redding or Modesto for 56 years! My best friend from high school created a version of this recipe because we both love to prepare heart healthy recipes. We encourage one another to eat healthy, keep an exercise regimen, and keep our weight down. After all, we have a plan to out live our husbands! You see we want to run around at 90-years of age just like we did at 16. We can only do that if we eat a heart healthy diet today! I’ve added my touch to this heart healthy stuffed sweet potato recipe. It is an irresistible dish because it is colorful, delicious with a touch of spiciness in the creamy vegetable sauce. Nutritionally it is packed with vitamins, antioxidants, that are good for your heart. I love Crystal dairy products because they offer fat free and low fat dairy products; products that will help my girlfriend and I reach our health goals! Crystal products have been in my life for as long as I remember just like my best friend. I'm so thankful that both are looking out for my health! Crystal products, a family brand I rely on, just like I do my girlfriend!" - Kim B., Modesto, CA

Ginger Pineapple Dessert Soup

1 cup cooked brown rice, at room temperature
3 cups Crystal Low Fat Milk
1 ripe banana, sliced
1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup Crystal Low Fat Pineapple Cottage Cheese
1 cup Crystal Low Fat Pina Colada Yogurt
1 tsp minced ginger root
1/4 cup honey
garnish- crystallized ginger and dried pineapple bits mint sprigs

Place all the ingredients in a blender container and blend till smooth. Cover and refrigerate till chilled. At serving time garnish each serving with the ginger and pineapple bits and mint sprigs.

Serves 4-6

"I enjoy creating my own low fat nutritious recipes.Being a senior citizen it is very important for me to get the vitamins, minerals and protein I need daily without too much fat or refined sugars. Dessert is usually where you find the excess fat and sugar. My inspiration for this dessert soup comes from the Chinese banquet menu where cold or warm rice, bean or tapioca soups end the meal. Low fat dairy products are the perfect foundation for my soup with brown rice adding more nutrition and fruits and spices giving the soup the flavor boost. Quick and easy this make ahead dessert is especially welcome on a warm summer's evening following a backyard barbecue. Also great for a picnic. Another idea-try it for breakfast." - Roxanne C., Albany, CA

Pasta & Salad Pasta Salad!

1 pound ground turkey
1 red onion, minced
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pound whole wheat pasta (rigatoni, cavatappi, penne or fusilli recommended)
1 cup Crystal Fat-Free Sour Cream
6 medium tomatoes, diced
3 tablespoons hot sauce
1/3 cup Crystal Orange Juice
1/4 cup Crystal Apple Juice
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
6 cloves garlic, crushed
6 cups (loose) baby spinach
2 avocados, thinly sliced
2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced

Set a large pot of water to boil on high heat. In a large non-stick skillet, cook turkey, onion and pepper on medium high heat until just done, about 10 minutes, stirring often. Cook pasta according to package directions.

While turkey and pasta cook, combine sour cream, tomatoes and hot sauce in a medium bowl, stirring to mix well. Set aside. In a largel bowl, whisk together the orange juice, apple juice, olive oil, mustard and garlic. Add spinach and toss to coat.

When pasta is cooked, drain well, then return to pot. Add sour cream mixture and stir to coat. Divide mixture equally to six plates. Top with equal amounts of dressed spinach, then add equal amounts of the avocado and bell pepper. Serve immediately.

Serves six. (To save for leftovers or tomorrow's lunch, store salad and turkey/pasta mixtures separately. Heat turkey/pasta mixture, then top with salad.)

"This is a fun meal that my family loves because it combines both pasta and salad in one dish! It’s packed with flavor, has great texture and is healthy as well! And best of all? It’s made with quality ingredients and a snap to put together!

"Fresh, easy and fast meals are a priority in my house, but even more so since I started going to the gym. I’ve been recovering from a bad ankle sprain, and the water aerobics classes have been wonderful in helping me get back into shape. But wouldn’t you know it...the classes are right when I would normally start cooking dinner for the evening. So, after I race home, I need to be able to put something together that won’t undo my work at the gym, but also satisfy my family’s taste and nutrition needs. When I have great quality ingredients on hand from Crystal, it’s even easier to make better choices when I get into the kitchen!" - Jamie M., Napa, CA