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ATTLEBORO - The term "organic" used to conjure visions of leaden, flavorless baked goods or other tasteless, good-for-you stuff.

Over the past several years, however, several factors have combined to change this perception. Among them: a growing consciousness about where food comes from and what's done to it before it reaches consumers, and a back-to-the-earth movement with more people growing their own produce. Nowadays, "organic" seems much more palatable.

"It doesn't have to be all whole wheat," said Nell Newman, founder and president of Newman's Own Organics, who recently stopped in South Attleboro to promote her organic blend coffee created for McDonald's by Vermont-based Green Mountain Coffee Roasters.

In fact, Newman included her famous father, the late actor Paul Newman, among those who had a negative reaction to the word "organic," at least as it pertained to food.

"Here is this guy who really didn't know what organic was and probably had some bad association with something my mom made back in the '70s," she said, recounting how she convinced her dad to finance her idea of incorporating an organic division of Newman's Own in the 1990s. Her mother, actress Joanne Woodward, "used to make these heavy muffins that I like to call atomic muffins, with coarse whole-wheat flour," Nell Newman recalled.

As a result, when Nell prepared an organic Thanksgiving dinner one year, it was "a revelation" to her father "that organic food could be so delicious; it was a much different kind of food than he thought it was."

Over time, it wasn't just her father's attitude that changed.

Surveys over the past several years indicate that not only are more people seeking out organic products, but there has also been a rise in the number of organic farms in the country. Locally, within the past several years, at least two organic farms have sprung up.

Newman suggested that people can incorporate organic ingredients into many meals, without making drastic changes in their lives. And it doesn't have to mean all whole wheat.

One of her favorite recipes, an angel food cake with orange rinds and chocolate, calls for a blend of organic white flour with whole wheat.

The recipe includes the use of eggs and sugar, organic of course.

"It's organic, but it's cake - no aspersions," Newman said.

And the orange rinds and chocolate, organic as well, add a lot of flavor "and minuscule fat - unless you add whipped cream. I like whipped cream," she said.

Newman passed along some of her recipes using organic ingredients. Here they are: DAD'S FAVORITE CHOCOLATE ANGEL FOOD CAKE

"I always use organic ingredients whenever possible, but this cake is great with regular ingredients. It is light as air, low in fat, and very easy to make. The trick is to prepare all the ingredients in advance," she said.

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/4 cups sugar

12 egg whites

1/2 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

3 tsp. vanilla

11/2 3-oz. dark orange chocolate bars or 3 1.2 oz. Newman's Own Organics Dark Orange Chocolate bars

1 Tbsp. orange rind

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grate 1 1/2 3-oz. or 3 1.2-oz. of chocolate bars on a cheese grater.

Sift 1 cup all-purpose flour. Then sift flour three more times with 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 tsp. salt. Sifting onto wax paper makes it easier. Separate 12 egg whites (easily done by cracking egg into hand and allowing whites to run through fingers). Allow egg whites to reach room temperature (15 minutes). Beat whites until frothy. Add 1 Tbsp. lemon juice. Beat until soft peaks form. Sprinkle sugar lightly onto whites 1/4 cup at a time and continue beating at medium speed. Sift 1/4 cup flour/sugar mixture over whites and gently fold in by hand. Add 3 tsp. vanilla and 1 Tbsp. grated orange rind. Alternate flour/sugar mixture and grated chocolate until incorporated. Make sure to fold in gently to avoid reducing volume of egg whites.

Tip: "I find it best to use your hand with your fingers spread to fold in the ingredients. It's more effective than using a spatula."

Pour into clean, dry tube pan and bake for 45 minutes until lightly browned. Knife inserted into center should be clean when removed. Remove from oven and invert pan. Allow to cool 30 to 45 minutes. Run knife around edges and center of tube to remove. Serve with strawberries and lightly sweetened whipped cream or for real decadence serve with hot chocolate fudge sauce and ice cream.

NELL'S PRETZEL DIP

1 15 oz. can chick peas (save the water)

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/4 c. whole cilantro or parsley leaves, lightly packed

1 cup cooked Yukon Gold or Yellow Fin potatoes

3 T. Newman's Own Organics Olive Oil

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground black and pink peppercorns (mixed together; the pink adds a special

taste)

1/3 cup minced white or yellow onions

1/2 cup chopped red peppers

2 tsp. Newman's Own Organics Balsamic Vinegar

Blend all ingredients except the red peppers in a food processor or blender with 1/2 cup of the chick pea water. Add additional chick pea water to desired consistency. Mix in the chopped red pepper. Serve with Newman's Own Organic Pretzels.

MAPLE RAISIN PECAN BARS

"My mother started me in the kitchen at a young age and we used to make everything from pulled molasses to these bars. We always really liked maple syrup, so this was another excuse to use it. This is a great recipe for kids and adults to do together during the holidays. I prefer to use as many organic ingredients as possible with this recipe."

6 tablespoons sweet butter, melted

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup maple syrup

1 egg

1 cup Newman's Own Organics Raisins

1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped

1/2 cup white all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour

3 teaspoons vanilla

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (fresh, grated if possible)

Pinch of mace

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease an 8-by-11 1/2-inch Pyrex or ovenproof dish.

Beat the egg with a fork and add to the cooled butter, sweeteners, and vanilla. Sift the flour, spices, salt and baking soda. Add the chopped nuts, and raisins.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients until well mixed and spread onto cookie sheet.

Bake 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool and remove from pan.

Bars are great the way they are or lightly dusted with cinnamon and sugar.