After racking my brain about what to do with the Fiesta Friday Challenge, I finally decided on the specifics.
It seems we all agree that it should be a healthy recipe challenge. However, healthy is too broad a definition. Plus , it’s supposed to be a challenge, so it should be…uhm…challenging.
So, with that said…
Fiesta Friday challenges you to create a healthy recipe that incorporates these two ingredients:
- Leafy greens
- Pineapple
Why those two? Well, the greens were suggested by some of you, and it makes perfect sense since they’re a healthy ingredient. And pineapple? Well, isn’t it obvious? This is a pineapple-loving site ??? and it’s also a healthy fruit.
But what’s considered healthy? Since I’m not a physician or a nutritionist, I won’t pretend to know the answer to that. I’d rather let you persuade us.
However, the line has to be drawn somewhere. Obviously a recipe involving a copious amount of fat or sugar will be out no matter how much greens and pineapples are put into it.
In other words, please be sensible about it. It doesn’t have to be vegetarian or vegan or GF or raw, but it cannot be artery-clogging or cavity-inducing 5,000-calorie-per-serving recipe. Okay, folks?!
Rules & Guidelines for the challenge are as follows:
- Post a recipe of something you make that uses both a leafy green vegetable and pineapple together. In a single recipe. It can be a cocktail/mocktail, appetizer/snack, soup, entrée, dessert, etc. Anything food or beverage is acceptable.
- What leafy greens can be used? Is lettuce included? Well, technically it’s a leafy green, so yes, it’s acceptable. But there are so many other more nutritious greens out there. Here is a partial list: bok choy, cabbage, collard, kale, Swiss chard, spinach, etc. Get the idea?
Explore other lesser known greens, too, such as amaranth, dandelion, pea shoots, mustard and turnip greens, etc. Get out of your comfort zone and seek out these delicious and nutritious veggies.
Herbs such as basil, parsley, or mint will not be considered, even though they’re leafy and green. The only exception would be if they’re used as the main ingredient in the recipe, i. e., tabbouleh or pesto.
- Fresh pineapples are available year-round these days, so they are preferred but if you have difficulty acquiring them, canned, frozen or dehydrated can be used. Pineapple juice is also acceptable.
- Display the Fiesta Friday Challenge Badge on the post.
- Link the post to FiestaFriday.net
- Add a photo thumbnail of your recipe to the link-up provided below.
- You may enter as many recipes as you like.
- Submissions will be accepted until January 31, 2017
Now, before you get all stressed out, let me remind you that this is just a friendly challenge. We’re not exactly competing, we’re mostly sharing with each other. However, for the highly motivated among you, there will be judging, winner(s) selected, and prizes awarded. Just to sweeten the pot, so to speak, and to generate extra excitement.
1st PLACE
Gold & White Pineapple Salt & Pepper Shaker Set
2nd PLACE
Stainless Steel Pineapple Peeler, Corer, Slicer and Wedger
3rd PLACE
One-year Subscription to Taste of Home Magazine
(I didn’t solicit any sponsor(s) for these prizes. They’re my personal gifts to the winners. Because of that, I reserve the rights to substitute them with alternatives should they become unavailable. Also, if you’re a non-US resident, you may be receiving an egift card instead, in lieu of the prize. )
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Join Fiesta Friday Healthy Recipe Challenge by adding your link. Don’t forget to display the badge on your post and link your post to FiestaFriday.net
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Sounds fabulous and I am so unprepared for it too! I will have to get out of my comfort zone and think of something unusual (I don’t usually cook with pineapple). Thanks!
Don’t worry you’ll have until the end of the month before the Challenge ends. I’m sure you can come up with something incredible!
No pressure then:)
No presume at all! None, zero! ?
That salt and pepper set is definitely motivating me. They’re so cute!
I’m getting a set for myself even if I don’t win, lol ? I can’t win, I’m the judge! I know you’ll come up with something wonderful, Lily, I know you can ??
I’m more motivated by the pineapple corer, slicer thingy 🙂
Great to hear! ?
Awesome Angie! I am looking forward to coming up with something 😀
?? You can do it, Antonia! I have faith in you!
Haha, thank you 😀 Such an interesting combo!!
Trust me, it’s doable! I’ve already made 3 different things and they’re all super delicious!
What a wonderful challenge Angie. I love that you incorporated your beloved pineapples that are perfect for this time of year too!
I’m so glad you like it, Julie! And I hope and look forward to your participation, girlfriend! Won’t be fun without you! ?
Now my mind is full of Greens and pineapples and how to create something great out of it:).. I loved the Challenge Badge..it is really cute!! I would love to see that badge in my blog post soon..
Yay, Nimmi, you and I both. I’ve had so much greens and pineapple the past week and guess what? Still not tired of either! ?
ha ha:)
Love it Angie, I was going to bring the ragu to the party but have to do an about face now. A great challenge, perfect for the post holiday bloat. Putting on my thinking cap!!
You can still link your ragu to FF154, just the previous post.
Super cute, Angie!! I’m lucky to have posted a recipe last week that had both!! I’ll be racking my brain to come up with another. One of my favorites is a Hawaiian pizza with jalapenos but I have a feeling my “green” + pineapple aren’t the healthiest, haha. Thanks for doing this and being so kind to offer prizes. Have a great weekend!
No way!! Are you psychic?! That’s really great, Jasmine, yours can be our first entry. Hawaiian pizza is my fave, too! Try it dipped in buffalo sauce, omg! ?
Ohhh, I have never thought of that, and I LOVE buffalo sauce! Will have to try. 🙂
Can it be something we posted previously?
Because it’s from you, Suzanne, yes! ?
You can update it maybe to include the badge and mention the challenge?
Will do!!❤
Ha ha sounds brilliant! And no, I havent got a xlue as to how to combine these two … Pineapple sorbet with a decorative basil leaf? Cabbage soup with a side serving of pineapple? Hmmmm…..
Oh c’mon I’m confident you can think of something. Surprise us, Ginger! I’m counting on you!
Stop counting – does mint count?!
Only if it’s prominently used in the recipe, like mint sauce or chutney, for example. But not if it’s just used as garnish or flavoring. Hmm, what are you making? ?
Im eating some tinned pineapple while steaning broccoli. Why are you asking? ?
Lol, anything to get your creative juices flowing is fine with me ??
This is so cool Angie! Love the combination and have so many ideas in my head. unfortunately traveling to the west coast tonight for the week so won’t be able to cook 🙁 Look forward to what the cohort brings to the table 🙂
You gotta participate, Zeba! And don’t worry, the challenge lasts until the end of the month, so you have plenty of time ? Have a safe trip, enjoy yourself! ?
cool…i am on it after i am back!
?
Sooo… here we are! I think I slept last night with the thoughts of leafy greens and pineapple ? The combo is interesting and I hope I can think of something? The prices look cool, too. Happy FF, Angie!?
I have no doubt you’ll come up with something amazing, Jhuls! Remember, I have faith in you! ?
I hope I don’t disappoint you ? Thanks, Angie! ?
Angie, I’ve added my entry for the challenge. I hope you’ll like it. ??
Yes I saw it Jhuls and I LOVE it! I showed it to my husband and he demanded that I make it! Yes, demanded!! ?
hi Angie
I read this last night and I have to admit my first thought this morning was how to combine leafy greens and pineapple! I love it! Thank you for challenging us, so many ideas! 🙂 Happy weekend! x
Sounds great, Petra! I can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with!
Hi Angie
I hope you are enjoying your weekend!
I am finally joining but I am not sure if it is healthy enough, I don’t mind if you take it down! x
No way I’m taking it down! How can anything with pineapple and greens be unhealthy? Unless of course you added a pound of bacon in it. Which I’m sure you didn’t! ??
ha ha thank you! Not this time, perhaps something for the future! 🙂 Have a lovely week!
This is brilliant, Angie! I am so excited and my mind is reeling with all of the possibilities! Thanks so much for bringing us this challenge. It is just what I needed to get me out of the winter doldrums!! 😀
I’m so glad you like the challenge, Julianna! I think it’s challenging enough without being too, too difficult. And I see you have several ideas. Can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with. I know it’s going to be something amazing!! ??
Hmmmm…. curious combination….! Be interesting to see what wonders people create..
The question is, Elaine, what wonders will YOU create! ?
I’m not sure about this one, I fear the pineapple may rule me out…I’m still running ideas through my brain though…;)
You don’t like pineapple? You can use pineapple juice, too.
It’s more that it’s all too sweet for me, I wouldn’t eat/drink it..I’m still pondering though..
Get the fresh, it’s not too sweet. To me it’s more tangy. And you don’t have to use too much.
?
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this lovely challenge – just what I needed to get back in the swing of things! My sister hasn’t been well (finally improving) for the last 5ish weeks so I was helping her out a lot. Cooking tons but trying to adjust to being caregiver to my 3 little nieces and nephews (their dad was at work) while mommy recovered. It’s been fun and challenging but hard to keep up with the blog. I love pineapple a lot so this is the perfect challenge for me!
Happy New Year, Angie! and thanks, as always for hosting us.
You’ve been busy!! What a kind and caring sister and aunt you are, kudos to you! I’m glad you like the challenge and I did see your pasta salad, sounds super delicious. I’ll have to give that a try soon. I need to get more pineapples first ?
Oh, it’s lovely to help out 🙂 And they are so cute it’s hard to resist! As is pineapple.
Oh and Happy New Year! ?
I love it!! Happy New Year Angie!! Will be sure to think of something and post it!
Awesome, Su! I can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with! Happy New Year! ?
Hi Angie, I’ve just added my recipe challenge post to the link party, I’ve included a link to your blog in my post too:) Have a good week!
That’s awesome! So glad you’re participating! I’ll go take a look right now.
Angie,
What a brilliant idea to combine leafy greens with pineapple….challenging indeed! I started scribbling down ideas right away and finally narrowed down from the 8 or so crazy ideas I had:)
I am really looking forward to all the recipes shared by the super talented group here.
8 crazy ideas?! Now you’re talking! Would be fun to see all these ideas listed for us to see, Sandhya! Though we’d be thrilled even if you participate with just one entry. Can’t wait to see it!! What’s it gonna be? ??
Angie, we were leaving for a trip but I could not leave before I sent in my entry 🙂
Well, Angie I did it! i’m here! I’ve been stumped all month and NOW I have a TON of ideas!! Well, hope you like this!
Like it?! Love it! One of the first things I made when I was experimenting was pineapple & kale fried rice. So you and I are definitely on the same wavelength! I’ll come right over and check out your recipe.
🙂 See, great minds think alike, lol!!
They all looks so good…you’re going to have your job cut out for you when picking the winners!
Tell me about it! I’m already breaking out in hives. Clearly I’m allergic to making tough decisions. I need help! HELP! ?
I wanted to link my second entry, but it says it is already closed. 🙁
Is it up on your blog? I can add it for you.