Archives for 2018

Chicken Brings the Family Together

September 6, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

September is National Chicken Month. With the number of quick and easy chicken recipes you probably make for dinner on a regular basis, it could feel like every month is National Chicken Month. Make this month extra special with some fun and flavorful chicken recipes beyond the ordinary with Libby’s® Vegetables.

One Skillet Creation

For the busy after-school evenings, try this Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Pasta. Cook the pasta and chicken separately and then combine ingredients into one skillet with Libby’s® Mixed Vegetable Pouches for a delicious meal in under an hour.

Aroma of Fall

Casseroles are the perfect transition into fall. As the weather cools off, prepare this hearty Cornbread Chicken Casserole using Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn. Indulge with the family while sharing heart-warming conversations about the day.

Fiesta on a Plate

Add some spice to your life with this fun and tasty Lime and Cumin Chicken Tenders with Fiesta Rice recipe using Libby’s® Canned Mixed Vegetables. This savory dish includes a variety of spices with bold flavor to round off National Chicken Month with a bang.

Back-to-School Recipes with a Twist

August 23, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

Back-to-school season means early mornings, staying alert in class, and after-school sports.

Libby’s^®understands that some parents have picky-eaters and need to have a variety of nutritious recipes within reach. Stock up on Libby’s^® Vegetable Cups this school year and try out a few of the below quick and fun recipes that will fuel the little scholar in your life throughout the busy back-to-school season!

Pot Pie for Lunch

Chicken Pot Pies aren’t just for dinner anymore. Put a spin on the norm and prepare these delicious Mini Chicken Pot Pies for a nice hearty meal. Even though they are mini, these pot pies are packed with Libby’s^® Sweet Peas and Diced Carrots, as well as chopped rotisserie chicken.

Roll-up and Go

Laura Fuentes shares how she packs easy bento school lunches for her kids, like Ham & Cheese Rollups. Plus, kids love all things hand-held. In addition, Libby’s^® Vegetable Cups are a quick and easy fix to incorporate more veggies into your kids lunch while they are away at school.

Fun Shapes

Kids still want to have fun with their food. Try these Gluten-free Cornbread Lunchbox Muffins that are the perfect blend of sweet and savory while providing nutrients kids need to fuel their day. You can even get everyone involved while preparing this delicious meal in muffin pans or fun corncob molds.

For more delicious recipes, visit Libby’s® Recipe Box.

Brinner: Your Answer To The End Of Summer Dinners

August 16, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

By Dylan Bailey, MS

It’s news that many don’t want to hear – summer is on its way out. That’s right, fall will officially begin on Saturday, September 22nd. This switch in seasons marks significant changes in our day-to-day experiences, from the foods we prefer, to how our schedules look, to how the weather acts.

While the shift in seasons may be gradual, it can still require some lifestyle adjustments. At Libby’s®, we want to help you ease into a fall state-of-mind with a comforting and healthy approach to cooking for summer’s end: “Brinner,” better known as breakfast for dinner.

This fresh take on dinner using familiar breakfast foods has a few benefits:

It eases the time burden of meal planning, as many breakfast foods are already pantry staples and may be on-hand (e.g. eggs, cereal, canned vegetables, waffle and pancake mix etc.)
It offers a unique opportunity for the family to get together over foods that might normally be consumed on-the-go or without much meal structure in the morning
It lets new versions of classic breakfast food recipes shine in an exciting way

In addition to being tasty, breakfast foods can be nutrient-dense. Let’s examine one staple breakfast item, the egg. One large egg packs 70 calories, varying amounts of 13 essential vitamins and minerals, and 6 grams of high-quality protein (nearly half the protein and most nutrients of an egg is found in its yolk, so don’t toss it). Who wouldn’t want to end their day with that!

Vegetables, including canned vegetables, can also round out the nutritional profile of a meal to complement your end of summer brinner. Take command of the changing seasons with these comforting, quick and easy brinner ideas using Libby’s® Canned Vegetables as core ingredients for health-focused offerings that benefit the entire family.

Frit-ta-yum

Frittatas are Italian-style omelets that can be whipped up in no time with some very simple ingredients. They’re the perfect brinner solution for when the back-to-school period hits. This Frittata With Peas And Potatoes features eggs and is packed with fiber, vitamin C and potassium, making for a hassle-free, nutritious way to end your day.

Frittata with Peas and Potatoes

Mini Quiches – Big Flavor

What do you get when you combine eggs, cheese, corn and chives? A savory protein and flavor-loaded brinner specialty that is sure to please the whole family. For a simple version of quiche that’s been miniaturized, try these Mini Cheese Quiches With Corn & Chives. Better yet, these are portable so they can also be taken to any after-school event that’s on your radar.

Mini Cheese Quiches with Corn and Chives

Waffles For Dinner

You’ll really enjoy these Easy Carrot Cake Waffles With Whipped Cream Cheese Topping. Created by registered dietitian Serena Ball, these waffles are a nutritious spin on carrot cake, making use of whole wheat flour, Greek yogurt and Libby’s® Sliced Carrots, which provide 150% of your daily vitamin A requirements per serving. For more flavor, top with shredded coconut, walnuts, pineapple or shredded carrots!

Carrot Cake Waffles

Create the Ultimate Picnic with Perfectly Packable Meals

July 25, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

With bright sunny days and warm summer nights, it’s no surprise July is National Picnic Month. August may be right around the corner, but that’s no reason to let the outdoor festivities end. Now’s the time to plan your own family (or friends) picnic.

The key to having a successful picnic is to plan ahead! Pack your picnic bag with reusable plastic or metal plates & utensils, a blanket or tablecloth, and some hand wipes for easy cleanup before and after eating. And of course, don’t forget the food and drinks! Libby’s® Canned Fruits and Vegetables can help create a yummy, easy-to-pack meal you can bring to your local park, pool or even your own backyard!

Pack the Chips & Crackers

For a picnic that is anything but boring, try this Sunshine Salsa for a unique (and colorful) twist on classic salsa. Use a can of Libby’s® Peach Slices and a can of Whole Kernel Sweet Corn for an appetizer bursting with flavor. Don’t forget to pack the tortilla chips or flatbread!

Keep it Fresh

Hot summer days call for light, fresh foods like this Summer Garbanzo Bean Salad. Bonus: By mixing all the ingredients the night before, the dish is ready to pack for your picnic, plus it will be super tangy and delicious after the flavors have marinated all night!

Portable Protein

Just because your food will be easily packable doesn’t mean they need to skimp on nutrients! Use a can of Libby’s® Mixed Vegetables to prepare and bake these Turkey and Vegetable Empanadas ahead of time for a portable source of protein your family will love. These empanadas can be served cold or at room temperature, making them a perfect handheld picnic snack!

Enjoy a Summer Staycation with International-Inspired Recipes

July 12, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

Long nights, warm days and the fact that the kids are out of school makes July the perfect month for a summer vacation. But we all know travel isn’t always in the cards, especially for busy families with lots of existing summer plans. So, this summer, plan a staycation in the comfort of your home instead to experience the delights of a new destination without leaving home!

Take your taste buds on an international trip with exotic dishes that are sure to lend some excitement to your summer dinner table. Even if you don’t make it past your local swimming pool this summer, your family can still experience some adventure with recipes from around the world.

Leave your passport at home and stock up on Libby’s^® Fruits and Vegetables to prepare delicious international dishes. Experience various cultures from around the world this summer through the taste of local culinary dishes.

¡Bienvenidos a Mexico!

Throw a fiesta with Mexican Salsa Veggie Burgers to kick-off your family’s culinary adventure. P.S. They’re so flavorful the kids won’t even notice the hidden source of protein and vegetables tucked inside!

Grab the Chopsticks

Prepare the family a bowl of this delicious Vegetable Fried Rice. Several versions of this recipe are found in many East, Southeast and certain South Asian cuisines.

Next Stop: Thailand

Cool down on a hot summer day with fresh coconut Thai chicken noodles. Sweet coconut, zingy lime and a hint of curry powder makes this dish anything but boring!

Deep Sea Supper

Even if the beach isn’t calling your name this summer, you can still enjoy the flavor of the sea with these roasted diver scallops over pea puree.

German Goulash

End your international flavor adventure with this hearty Bavarian kraut and pork goulash that will fill up the entire family. Bonus: Fermented foods like sauerkraut contain probiotics that are great for the digestive system!

Haylie Duff Shares Her Favorite Dishes for a Summer Cookout

July 3, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

A Q&A Discussion with the Actress, TV Host and Mother

The temperature is heating up, the sun is shining longer, and the BBQ grills are coming out of storage. Summer is finally here and it’s officially grilling season. The grill is one of the best tools for preparing summer dishes since it’s easy to use and cook meals in a flash, plus who doesn’t love a good cookout? Much of summer entertaining revolves around the grill.

Our Libby’s® team chatted with our partner, Haylie Duff about what summer entertaining means to her and discussed her favorite side dishes for complementing grilled entrees. And, oh yes, we were all craving BBQ after this conversation.

Check out the below discussion for delicious summer side dish inspiration using Libby’s® Vegetable Pouches, which help to create quick and nutritious side dishes for the entire family to enjoy!

Hi Haylie, we’re so excited to partner with you again this year and see what delicious recipes you’ll create using Libby’s® Vegetable Pouches this summer.
I’m excited to partner with Libby’s again and to share a new recipe I created with summer entertaining in mind.

Awesome, summer is (finally) here and it’s officially grilling season. Sure, we all love a good BBQ but a cookout is not complete without delicious sides. What’s a quick delicious side dish you love to cook that pair well with BBQ?
My favorite time of year! I love making a Southwest succotash or a super decadent corn pudding using Libby’s® Sweet Corn Pouches! I love anything that cools me down!

What are your favorite BBQ dishes to serve that pair well with the sides listed above?
I haven’t met a BBQ dish that I didn’t like… I live for ribs or a great steak. I tend to take after my Dad and favor dry rubs (Texas style!) instead of sauces.

Yum! Veggies are key to ensuring kids have a nutritious, balanced diet – but it can be tricky to get the them to eat them, especially when there’s hot dogs, burgers, and ice cream available. What are some tricks to sneak in vegetables during the summer?
My daughter loves veggies, so I don’t have to hide them very often!! But one of my favorite ways to sneak them in is with mac ‘n’ cheese balls! You simply add Libby’s® Sweet Peas or Libby’s® Sliced Carrots Pouches in to the mac ‘n’ cheese before you roll it in to a ball.

With the kids, officially on summer break, summer days can be quite hectic. And, the last thing you want to do is spend hours preparing dinner when it’s beautiful outside. Do you have any tips on meal prepping in advance, so that you can get back to spending time with loved ones?
I’m always a fan of slow cookers… it’s next to impossible to mess up a tenderloin. Then I love warming tortillas on the grill with a pan of veggies, like Libby’s® Mixed Vegetables Pouches! Top it with some salsa and I’m a happy girl.

Or a quick simple recipe using Libby’s® Vegetable Pouches, which microwave in less than 60 seconds, meaning no pots, heating containers or lengthy prep time needed.

Are there any summer recipes that simply reminds you of spending time with family and friends around the table?
Steaks & kabobs tend to remind me of my family. My dad makes the world’s greatest steak and every kind of kabob you can think of! I really love a grilled salmon kabob with some fresh dill and lemon.

Do you have any failsafe tips for hosting a stress-free summer BBQ?
Yes! Leave the stress behind!! I really believe that your vibe sets the mood! Pick recipes that don’t stress you out. Things you have made before….

Editor’s note: Haylie created a special side dish recipe just for Libby’s® consumers – Baked Corn Pudding! Check it out!