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.