Skip To Main Content

Summer Salad

Create the Ultimate Picnic with Perfectly Packable Meals

by 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!

 

Sunshine Salsa

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!

Summer Garbanzo Bean Salad

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!

Turkey and Vegetable Empanadas

 

Summer Salads for Every Occasion

by Leave a Comment

‘Tis the season for light, fresh meals full of flavorful veggies. We all have our go-to salads we make over and over again, but here’s some inspiration to pull you out of your salad rut to create delicious combinations the whole family will enjoy.

Super Food Salad

Dinner salads are a smart way to work in a variety of nutritious ingredients into one meal. Start with a leafy green such as romaine lettuce or spinach, add a colorful assortment of your favorite veggies and top it off with a protein source like hardboiled eggs, grilled chicken, beans, or canned fish.  For added flavor, incorporate fresh herbs such as dill, basil and parsley.  Beware of creamy dressings that can negate the healthy properties of your salad and instead opt for vinaigrette which is easy to make with a few staple pantry ingredients. We like this Salmon & Dill Green Bean salad as a complete meal in a bowl.

Salad for Picky Eaters

While it may seem that salads and kids don’t mix, sometimes picky eaters may be sensitive to particular textures or temperatures.  Mellowing out the intense textures in a salad could help.  For instance, if raw carrots are too rough or crunchy, try using Libby’s® Sliced Carrots and Sliced Beets over a bed of soft spring mix.  Our Beet & Carrot Salad is a great salad to start with.

Appetizer Salad for Backyard Barbecues

Complement your grilled burgers or chicken skewers with a tangy Easy Three Bean Salad instead of a high-calorie potato or macaroni salad.  This versatile salad can be served as a topping with tortilla chips or French bread, a top a bed of lettuce or simply on its own.

Salads in a Snap

With a well-stocked pantry, you can create a fantastic salad in minutes. Keep on hand canned veggies like Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn and Libby’s® Sweet Peas plus nuts, seeds, beans, canned fish and dried cranberries. In the fridge, store bagged lettuce and, if you have time, precooked quinoa and precut veggies. With all the ingredients right at your fingertips, a healthy, yummy salad is easy to throw together!