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Tasteful Entertaining

Delicious & Quick Recipes for Oktoberfest Entertaining

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Labor Day has come and gone, but don’t unpack your Halloween decorations just yet – there’s another seasonal event to celebrate first: Oktoberfest! Oktoberfest is the world’s largest Volksfest (aka beer festival and travelling funfair), held annually in Munich, Germany and celebrated in smaller capacities in cities around the world and across the United States. Oktoberfest festivities typically run from mid or late September to the first weekend in October and feature traditional Bavarian drink, food and entertainment. Can’t make it to Munich (or your closest local Oktoberfest celebration) this year? Not to worry – we’ve got three super easy Volksfest-inspired recipes to help you create that Bavarian magic at home.

Succulent Supper 

Sauerkraut (finely cut, fermented cabbage) and potatoes are two major staples in Oktoberfest cuisine. Grab a few cans each of Libby’s® SauerkrautandWhole White Potatoes to make this Pork, Sauerkraut & Potato Skillet Supper. It’s a hearty, succulent one-pot meal that keeps for up to a week in the fridge. Make an extra big batch and stretch out your Oktoberfest celebrations over multiple days. You’ll be just like revelers in Munich, where festivities last from 16 to 18 days.

Super Speedy Sauerkraut

 

Tight on time this Oktoberfest season? The solution is in this Skillet Ham and Sauerkraut, an authentic and delicious seven-ingredient dish that can be pulled together in less than 30 minutes – no joke! Libby’s® Sauerkraut plays the starring role alongside juicy ham and softened apples. (Fun fact: apples play a big role in Oktoberfest entertaining as well, both in savory dishes like this and in sweet desserts!).

Sausage Symphony 

Yet another star ingredient in Oktoberfest dining? Sausage. Instead of eating the meat by itself—which is how it’s usually consumed at Oktoberfest festivals—combine it with your favorite Libby’s® products in a veggie-laden stew! This Vegetable Sausage Soup brings together a delectable combo of spices (think: oregano, basil and marjoram), healthy veggies (we’re talking Libby’s® Cut Green Beans, Sliced Carrots, Whole White Potatoes green peppers) and of course, sausage, for a meal that’s bottom-of-the-bowl-licking-good. Freeze leftovers and enjoy the taste of Oktoberfest throughout the year!

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo With Hearty Bites

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Cinco de Mayo, aka the fifth of May, recognizes the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France during the Battle of Puebla as part of the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). While the holiday is relatively minor in Mexico, it’s widely celebrated in the United States as a tribute to Mexican heritage and culture. Traditions include parades, mariachi music performances, street festivals—and of course, food. In the spirit of the holiday, we’ve pulled together three dishes that celebrate Mexican flavors. Fire up your appetite!  

Traditional With A Twist

 

Tortilla soup—or sopa de tortilla—is a traditional Mexican soup consisting of fried corn tortilla bits in a hearty broth of tomato, chili powder and other spices. This recipe for Mexican Tortilla Soup brings two bonus ingredients to the mix: Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn and tender chicken breast strips. Add even more deliciousness by topping your bowl with creamy avocado chunks, cheese cubes and sour cream.

Kicked Up Greens

 

This Mexican Chicken and Corn Salad packs heat, crunch and flavor. Chicken breast seasoned with smoky paprika combines with black beans, a Libby’s® Sweet Corn Vegetable Cup and cherry tomatoes for a seriously hearty—and healthy—salad. Tortilla chips and bacon bits add the perfect textured topping.

Meatless Magic

 

Celebrate the holiday sans meat with these Mexican Salsa Veggie Burgers. The burgers themselves are packed with tongue-tingling flavor thanks to oregano, cumin and lime juice, and the salsa topper kicks things up yet another notch with bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn and cilantro. One bite will bring the party to your mouth. 

Maintain the Magic: Quick & Easy Recipes for Holiday Entertaining

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Can you feel it in the November air? That buzzing, palpable excitement as the holidays draw near? With Thanksgiving just two weeks away, mealtime preparations are ramping up. But all too often, overwhelming obligations in the kitchen replace holiday delight with dread. This year, maintain the magic and minimize stress by prioritizing convenience and health. The following quick, easy and nutritious recipes will help you fully embrace the joy of the season.

A Palatable Warmup

 

Most guests arrive at holiday meals completely famished. Relieve their hanger with a low-maintenance, high-flavor appetizer: soup. This seasonal recipe for Roasted Carrot and Apple Soup combines Libby’s® Sliced Carrots and apples for a palate-pleasing warmup. Make the soup well in advance and freeze until the day of. Then, thaw it on the stove and keep at a low simmer until the crowds are ready to chow.

A Colorful Interlude


 

Balance out heavy side dishes with a fresh salad. This Colorful Chopped Salad, made with Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn, Organic Garbanzo Beans and Cut Green Beans, is rich in color, flavor and nutrients. It also doubles as a next-day meal: just add protein from leftover ham, turkey, or chicken.

 A Fibrous Feature   


 

Turkey isn’t the only star in town: a tasty vegetable dish can easily steal the dinnertime spotlight. Veggies are a fiber-filled, low-calorie food option great for healthy weight maintenance and satiety. These Ginger Candied Vegetables—featuring Libby’s® Whole Baby Carrots, Whole Kernel Sweet Corn and Sweet Peas— provide gut-friendly fiber and an array of nutrients. The best part? Preparation requires just one pot and five minutes of your time. Now that’s pure holiday magic.

A Happy, Healthy Halloween

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Boo! Here’s a frightening fact: the average American consumes 3.4 pounds of candy over Halloween. Not pieces—pounds! While it’s of course appropriate to celebrate special occasions with a sweet treat (or two), serious sugar binges spell scary health consequences (think: metabolic dysfunction, weight gain and liver damage—eek!). To avoid overconsuming confectionaries, fuel up on nutritious chow before canvasing for candy. Here are three recipes that will transform your Halloween from a dentist’s nightmare to a dietitian’s dream.

Stew On This

Soup is a low-calorie, high-flavor solution to pre-trick-or-treating hunger. This recipe for classic Minestrone Soup features a colorful collection of hearty veggies, including Libby’s® Sliced Carrots, Sweet Peas, Cut Green Beans and Whole Kernel Sweet Corn. Warning: the flavors may give goosebumps…in a good way. 🙂 

Lettuce Get Healthy

This Halloween, don’t forget to dress up…your salad, that is! The three P’s—peas, pistachios and pecorino—add a fresh, savory and non-spooky flavor to this Warm Baby Green Salad.

Beet ‘Em & Eat ‘Em

Swap your bowl of candy corn for a bowl of this Roasted Beet Salsa. The recipe pairs Libby’s® Sliced Beets with an array of spices (i.e. jalapeño peppers, cilantro, lime juice, orange zest and more). Serve it with your favorite crackers and a slab of goat cheese for a frightfully filling appetizer.

 

Freshened Up Old-Fashioned Eats

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This Sunday is Grandparents Day, a dedicated moment to recognize your most special loved ones. Convey your affection by preparing a home-cooked meal with love. In tribute to grandparents—and in celebration of both the past and the present—we compiled the following timeless recipes made anew with a modern twist.  

 

 

A Cheesy Classic

Nothing incites mouth-watering nostalgia quite like a classic casserole. But we often think of the dish as a dinner-only entrée. This Cheesy Brunch Casserole proves that’s just not so. Made with Libby’s® Mixed Vegetables, lean ham and your favorite French bread, it’s a savory delight, no matter what time you chow it.

Beyond Basic Mac

True, there’s nothing wrong with your standard Mac & Cheese, but have just one taste of this Kicked Up Mac & Cheese and you’ll never look back. Libby’s® Sweet Peas and Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn lend texture and sweetness, panko bread crumbs provide a crunchy topper and diced pimentos tie it all together with a touch of heat.

Cuisine Collision

  

A classic Italian dish lends inspiration from south of the border in this hearty, finger-licking Mexican Lasagna. Tortillas stand in for pasta noodles and Libby’s® Organic Black Beans, chili beans, salsa, olives and hamburger unite for a flavorful filling.  

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

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With the arrival of May, calendars start to fill with impromptu gatherings and parties at every turn. Kicking off entertainment season is Cinco de Mayo – a holiday to celebrate with great food and drink. Whether you’re feeding a party or your usual crew, celebrate today with delicious dishes that embrace Mexican culture and heritage.

 

 

Mexican Lasagna 

Lasagna is always good to feed a crowd, so try this Mexican Lasagna that’s perfect for Cinco! Whip up this delicious meal including Libby’s® Organic Black Beans and hamburger or turkey as your meat of choice. You’ll have your family on their feet dancing for a second helping!

Looking for a kid-friendly favorite with a bit of gourmet flair? Lime and Cumin Chicken Tenders with Fiesta Rice is an easy way to give your kids flavor-bursting chicken and vegetables they’ll love. With fiesta in the name, you can rest assured this meal is Cinco de Mayo ready! 

Mexican Salsa Veggie Burgers

Mexican Salsa Veggie Burgers are meatless, hearty and reminiscent of restaurant-style refried beans – especially if served alongside brown rice. Libby’s® Organic Pinto Beans and Sweet Corn combine forces to give you a burger perfect for the occasion. If you like spicy, mix a pinch of cayenne pepper into the burgers or add diced jalapeno pepper to the salsa.