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Halloween Party Recipes

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Halloween is almost here, and soon children will gorge on bags full of sugary candy.

This year, Libby’s® has a few recipe ideas to help save the family from falling into a sugar daze.  Keep everyone fueled and entertained this Halloween by using Libby’s® Canned Vegetables to create playful and savory snacks for your upcoming Halloween party or family dinner after a fun, fright night out.

And, don’t forget the Halloween-inspired recipe name cards to help bring your ghoulish menu to life!

Spooky Peas

For a twist on your traditional Halloween mix, try this simple Sweet and Smoky Peas dish using Libby’s® Sweet Peas. Kids love snacking, and this is a great grab and go option for busy trick-or-treaters heading out the door.

Sweet and Smoky Peas

Monster Bites

These Black Bean and Bacon Veggie Bites with Libby’s® Mixed Vegetables are fun to eat and kids will love each crunchy, savory bite.

Black Bean and Bacon Veggie Bites

Frankenstein Sliders

Sneak in Libby’s® Sweet Peas and Diced Carrots into these Frankenstein Turkey Bolognese with Peas and Carrots sliders. These will be such a hit you won’t have to worry about winning the veggie war.

Turkey Bolognese Sliders

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.

April Showers: Celebrating everything from babies to brides

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Spring inspires celebration. Even the weather says it’s time for a shower! Celebrating new brides and moms-to-be can be perfected with good food and company. Here are some tips for welcoming brides and babies into your inner circle in style. 

 

 

Pick a Theme

 

Keep the guest of honor top-of-mind when selecting the party’s theme. Does she have a favorite color, book, or sport? If so, prepare dishes that fit the mold. Everyone loves a themed appetizer or side dish, and by centering the party around your loved-one’s passion she’ll feel extra appreciated!  Let your guests in on the fun and take some of the pressure off by making it potluck style. Your leading lady’s favorites are sure to be represented in full force!

Convenience is Key

 

Serve finger foods so guests can easily move and mingle. If you’re hosting a brunch event consider preparing these Maple Cranberry Corn Muffins made with Libby’s® Sweet Corn. Rosemary Scallion Potato Puffs are an easy appetizer for an afternoon affair. And no party is complete without chips and dip. Sunshine Salsa will make your fete a fiesta!

Make it Last

 

Both new brides and new moms will be looking for new meal ideas! Before guests arrive, ask them to send you their favorite recipes, and compile the suggestions into a custom cookbook. One great weeknight meal ideal for busy families is Vegetarian Gumbo. The bride/mom can keep all of the ingredients, like Libby’s® Organic Black Beans, in the pantry, and pull everything together in a pinch when grocery shopping gets neglected. 

No matter what, remember a shower is all about bringing people together to celebrate a special person and a special occasion. As long as you focus on the bride or mom-to-be, your shower will be all blue skies ahead!

Make School Lunches Healthy and Fun for Your Kids

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While this can sometimes be difficult with the temptation of pizza and hot dogs doled out in the school cafeteria, it is important to make healthy lunches a priority. October 13-17 is National School Lunch Week, dedicated to improving the quality of school lunches. In recent years, schools have made serious efforts to reduce trans fats and sodium levels, and introduce more lean protein, fruit and vegetables into lunch menus.

 

Take charge of your child’s nutrition – make a homemade lunch and introduce healthy eating habits from a young age. Here are some healthy and fun lunch options that revamp the typical school lunches.

 

Confetti Tuna Rice Salad

 

When food is visually appealing, kids get more excited to eat it. Instead of the quintessential tuna salad sandwich, pack a colorful (and healthy!) alternative like our Confetti Tuna Rice Salad. Packed with Libby’s® Sweet Peas, Organic Black Beans and Whole Kernel Sweet Corn, this flavorful entrée will ensure your kids are eating a wholesome and filling lunch.

 

Lunch Box Pasta Salad

 

Put an Italian spin on lunch with this classic recipe, minus the mayonnaise. Use Libby’s® Mixed Vegetables and Whole Kernel Sweet Corn. The whole wheat pasta also adds a healthier alternative to your kids’ lunch.

 

Southwestern Black Bean Salad

 

Image via Snack the Planet

Most healthy cafeteria lunches feature salads made with iceberg lettuce, which has little nutritional value. This dish takes a healthy twist on that old standby. Use Libby’s® Organic Black Beans and Whole Kernel Sweet Corn to add some fiber to the dish. Romaine lettuce serves as the base for this nutritious side salad.

 

What changes would you make to your child’s school lunch? Share your thoughts and revamped recipes on our Facebook page! 

For the Love of Lunch

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Who has time for a delicious and inspiring lunch with everything else you need to accomplish in a single day? Whether you’re taking care of the kids, running errands or dashing around an office, it’s easy to find yourself in a “lunch rut.” Fortunately, with a few small tweaks you can take your mid-day meal from disinteresting to delightful!

If you’re tired of turkey sandwiches, try…

Grilled Turkey Reuben Wraps!

The traditional corned beef and sauerkraut deli sandwich, the Reuben, gets a modern update as a wrap. Homemade Russian dressing and Libby’s® Sauerkraut give it extra punch – use leftover roasted turkey in place of the deli turkey, if you desire.

If you need a change from Chicken Caesar Salad, try…

Kale and Black Bean Salad with Avocado-Caesar Dressing!

This salad is packed with super foods to keep you going all day long. Libby’s® Organic Black Beans provide the protein, kale covers the vitamins, and avocado has the healthy fats!

If you can’t stop snacking, try…

Sweet Pea Dip!

Many people find themselves munching throughout the day instead of eating a real meal at lunch-time. Surround yourself with convenient and healthy snacks. Just a few simple ingredients like Libby’s® Sweet Peas and fresh lemon juice create this delicious, quick dip, perfect for dunking fresh veggies and pita wedges!

How do you combat the lunch-time blues? Share your favorite lunch tips and recipes with us on Facebook or Twitter!

Building A Better Burger

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It’s officially mid-summer, the peak time for beach weekends, outdoor family activities and backyard barbeques. Summer grilling doesn’t need to consist of plain old hamburgers. Adding veggies to classic barbeque dishes is a great way to elevate flavor and add extra nutrition. Your kids may not even notice the healthy additions!

Before your next big cookout, check out these recipe ideas for building a better burger this summer.

Bring on the Black Beans

Black beans are fiber-rich, which means they will help keep your appetite satisfied for longer and are a healthy alternative to meat. Black bean patties aren’t just for vegetarians; even meat-lovers will enjoy this dish when topped with traditional condiments and a fresh bun. Use two cans of Libby’s® Organic Black Beans from Food Network personality Sandra Lee’s Black Bean Burger recipe.

Crazy About Corn

Have you ever considered adding canned corn to your burger patty? Mix corn with your favorite seasonings such as salt and pepper and onions, and add into your patty mixture for a new spin on a classic dish. This recipe is equally delicious for beef, turkey and black bean patties.

Pile on the Toppings

If your burgers are typically dressed with only ketchup and mustard, add some more veggies, fruit and herbs for a pop of flavor and tasty texture. Libby’s® Crispy Sauerkraut adds a bit of crunch and zest to a juicy burger. Other unique combinations include feta and fresh dill or avocado, lime juice and cilantro.

Australian Inspiration

Did you know that beets are a common burger topping in Australia? Take a note from our friends down under and try adding this super food to your meal. Truly authentic Aussie Burgers will also be topped with a fried egg, but you can also try a gourmet variation such as Libby’s® Sliced Beets and goat cheese.