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Ultimate Holiday Side Dishes

Every year many think about ways to reinvent their holiday menu. The main dish of ham or turkey is a classic staple, and normally the most anticipated dish, that you don’t want to tinker with. The sides however are an opportunity to experiment and try new recipes that are equally delicious.

 

A large holiday spread is the perfect time to spice it up. Libby’s® Canned Vegetables help you serve up flavorful side dishes to complement the main dish with quick and easy recipes. Below are three unique side dish recipes that are sure compliment your spread and have your family and friends doubling back for seconds.

A New Tradition

Trust us, parmesan and creamed corn are the perfect duo to bake into a holiday casserole. This Baked Parmesan Creamed Corn recipe made with Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn and Cream Style Sweet Corn is the new staple dish you’ve been searching for and will be a family favorite for many more dinners to come.

Parmesan Creamed Corn

Holiday Mash Up

Swap your classic mashed potatoes with this unique Creamy Potato Carrot Mash using Libby’s® Sliced Carrots. The carrots add a boost of nutrition and the vibrant orange color will surely pop among the other dishes.

Creamy Potato Carrot Mash

Sweet and Savory

With the savory, you make be looking for a little sweet. These Southern Candy Carrots with Gingersnap Crunch are the best of both words. It’s packed with nutrition from vegetables and satisfies a sweet tooth from brown sugar.

Candy Carrots with Gingersnap Crunch

Making Healthy Choices On National Chip And Dip Day

By Dylan Bailey, MS

 

It’s official! March 23 is National Chip and Dip Day! A whole day devoted to chips and dip can seem overwhelming. Here at Libby’s®, we want to help you enjoy with your health in mind but without compromising flavor. 

First, let’s start with the chip.

Potato, corn, veggie, black bean, pita and popcorn chips? There are quite a few chips to choose from with a wide range of textures, tastes and nutrition profiles. To select your chip with health in mind, look at these items on the nutrition label:

  • Sodium Content
    • Some chips can pack in the sodium so be mindful of the amount per serving. Chips with “seasonings” or other flavorings are also sodium-rich, so opt for unseasoned or reduced-sodium choices. Let your dip add the flavor!
  • Fat Content
    • Was your chip fried or baked? Watch out for chips with a laundry list of oils or shortenings on the ingredients panel. Baked chips will have lower amounts of fat than their fried counterparts without missing out on crunch.
  • Fiber and Protein Amounts
    • Many chips now add flax or chia seeds to their recipe for added healthy fats, protein and fiber. Bean based chips may also provide a source of vitamins and minerals that can round out your healthy chip and dip experience. Strategically dip to boost your nutrition!
  • Calories Per Serving
    • You might consider a chip with the lowest number of calories per serving so you can make your dip go further without sacrificing its crunchy counterpart.
    • Helpful Tip:
      • If you buy chips in bulk, controlling portion size can get a bit tricky. Avoid eating chips directly from the bag if possible. Try pre-portioning out your chips per their instructed serving size in individual Ziploc® baggies and saving for later. You could also transfer chips to a smaller bowl to help you stick to a manageable portion size that gives you better control of calories.

If you anticipate your dip being a bit heavier or thicker, you may want to opt for something that is a bit sturdier, like a pita or restaurant-style yellow corn chip.

Your Chip’s Best Friend
Every chip needs a good dip. These dips won’t skimp on flavor and make for the perfect pairings to celebrate National Chip and Dip Day while still your health in mind!

A Dip Above The Rest…

Carrot and Turmeric Hummus

Packed with fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals, this Carrot and Turmeric Hummus will stand up to any chip you throw at, or into it. Pita or black bean chips will complement the flavor profile of this dip well given the Middle Eastern seasoning influences and will have the density to preventing breaking while dipping.

This Dip Isn’t Just For Cowboys

Cowboy Caviar

Have you ever heard of cowboy caviar? Here’s Libby’s® Cowboy Caviar – a fun take on this nutritious dip – it’s a protein and fiber powerhouse. With Southwestern influence, this dip combines fiber-rich beans (choose from white, black, garbanzo, or black-eyed peas) and the added option of brown rice, buckwheat, or quinoa. Oh, and there’s also room for two, yes, two, avocados – contributing nearly 20 vitamins and minerals.

 

Try the recipes above and for more ideas visit Libby’s® Recipe Box.

Be the Boss of Your Holiday Buffet

Hosting friends and family is what the holiday season is all about, but entertaining can create some chaos. Grab your holiday party by the reins by serving a holiday buffet that’s easy to prepare and pleases everyone from the foodie to the health nut. Here are a few tips to help you deliver a bountiful buffet and still enjoy the most wonderful time of the year.

Warm Up with Winter Soup

The best friend for a holiday host is a slow cooker. This Butternut Squash Soup with Maple Roasted Garbanzo Beans takes up to six hours to cook, which gives you plenty of time to tend to other party preparations. For even greater ease, serve the soup in the slow cooker so it stays warm while your guests serve themselves!

Brighten Your Buffet

Serve a colorful and healthy salad, like our Carrot and Beet Salad, and skip the worry about keeping your dishes warm during your holiday soiree. Remember to serve the dressing on the side in a decorative carafe so the lettuce stays fresh and crisp.

Treat Guests with Bite Sized Treasures

We all indulge in our favorite holiday desserts, but the abundance of sweets makes it easy to over-do it. Serve extra-small desserts like mini cookies, tarts, and cupcakes, or Carrot Cake Bites, so guests can try multiple items and enjoy the right-sized portions guilt free.

We hope these tips help you be the boss of your buffet this holiday season! Let us know how you prepare for a large crowd during the holidays in the comments.