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Whole Kernel Sweet Corn

Thanksgiving Food Safety Tips

By Dylan Bailey, MS

 

 

Tis’ the season to give thanks for many things in our life – including family, friends and our health. We’re also thankful for the sweet and savory foods we’ve come to love this time of year, which give us that warm, fuzzy, and comforting feeling. You know what we’re talking about.

Before we can even dig in, we need to think about how our favorite Thanksgiving food is prepared. It may seem pretty obvious, but the way foods were sourced, made and served at the first Thanksgiving in 1621, is totally different from what we might experience at the table today. In the spirit of the holidays, we are appreciative of one of these distinct mealtime differences that separates us from the pilgrims: the knowledge and use of proper food safety practices.

At Libby’s®, we want you and your guests to experience food to its fullest and most importantly, safest potential. One in six Americans will get a foodborne illness this year, and we want to be on the front lines with you to help ensure a safe, healthy and delicious holiday. To do this, we’ve curated tips that you can use in your everyday life, no matter if you’re cooking for 20 people or just bringing the pumpkin pie, sourced from expert organizations like the Centers for Disease Control, United States Department of Agriculture and the Partnership for Food Safety Education. Join us in being food safe this Thanksgiving!

Let’s start with the following four food safety tips:

Handling and preparing food properly are critical to prevent a food-related illness from impacting you, your family and friends this holiday season. Use these four food safety tips when purchasing, handling, storing, preparing and serving foods.

1. Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often.
Wash your hands with soap and clean running water, and rub them together for at least 20 seconds. Do this before, during and after preparing food and before eating. Wash your utensils, cutting boards, and countertops with hot, soapy water between each food preparation step.

2Separate: Avoid cross-contamination
Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs (including their juices) away from ready-to-eat foods and eating surfaces. This includes when grocery shopping. Use separate cutting boards and plates for raw meat, poultry, and seafood. Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from all other foods in the fridge. Eating turkey? Use these tips to ensuring a delicious and safe bird makes it to the table.

3. Cook: Cook foods to the proper temperature
Food is safely cooked when the internal temperature gets high enough to kill germs that can make you sick. The only way to tell if food is safely cooked is to use a food thermometer. You can’t tell if food is safely cooked by checking its color and texture. See here for a helpful list of proper holiday food temperatures.

4. Chill: Refrigerate promptly
Keep your refrigerator below 40°F. Refrigerate perishable food within 2 hours (If outdoor temperature is above 90°F, refrigerate within 1 hour). Thaw frozen food safely in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave. Never thaw foods on the counter, because bacteria multiply quickly in the parts of the food that reach room temperature.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/keep-food-safe.html

Let’s talk about leftovers:

  • Place food into shallow containers and immediately put in the refrigerator or freezer for rapid cooling.
  • Throw away all perishable foods, such as meat, poultry, eggs and casseroles, left at room temperature longer than two hours; one hour in air temperatures above 90°F.
  • Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Eat cooked leftovers within 4 days.
  • Most importantly, when in doubt, throw it out!

What about canned foods?

  • Canned foods offer convenient access to nutrient-dense foods, including fruits and vegetables, all year long and are safe indefinitely as long as they are not exposed to freezing temperatures, or temperatures above 90°F.
  • If the cans look ok, they are safe to use. Discard cans that are dented, rusted, or swollen.
  • High-acid canned food (tomatoes, fruits) will keep their best quality for 12 to 18 months; low-acid canned food (meats, vegetables) for 2 to 5 years.

We hope this refresher on food safety will ensure a healthy and delicious Thanksgiving for you and your loved ones. Apply your newfound knowledge when preparing these seasonal side dishes using Libby’s® Canned Vegetables listed below!

Gluten-Free Corn and Zucchini Pie

Corn and Zucchini Pie

Crock Pot Sweet Corn Spoon Bread

Crockpot Sweet Corn Spoon Bread

Bacon Corn Sourdough Stuffing

Bacon Corn Sourdough Stuffing

For more recipe ideas, check out Libby’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for delicious holiday dishes.

Winter Warm Up: Stick-To-Your-Ribs Recipes

Bitter. Glacial. Biting. Mind-numbing. There are many ways to describe the dead of winter, and comfortable isn’t one of them. We’re talking about those days when the cold cuts through even your thickest of layers, lingering in your bones long after you come inside. An evening by the fireplace can certainly toast you up, but the best antidote is often a belly-warming meal. We’ve pulled together three of Libby’s heartiest recipes to help in these most frigid of times. Read on and stay warm, friends.   

Hot-Off-The-Griddle Corn Cakes

 

Begin your day feeling as snug as a bug in a rug with these Hot-Off-The-Griddle Corn Cakes, featuring Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn. They’re filling, flavorful and especially tasty when paired with a steaming mug of tea or coffee.

Vegetables Au Gratin

 

Add warmth to the dinner table with these cheese-laden Vegetables Au Gratin. They’re fortified with a hearty trio of Libby’s® Vegetables (Sliced White Potatoes, Cut Green Beans and Mixed Vegetables) and can be enjoyed as a gut-filling main course or a steamy supporting side.   

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Stew

 

This Spicy Buffalo Chicken Stew brings the heat in more ways than one. Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn and Sliced Carrots combine with chopped chicken for a soul-warming base, and the buffalo hot sauce packs enough spice to warm your body from head to toe. 

Food Blogger Picks for Holiday Feasting

Happy December! You survived Thanksgiving and the resulting turkey-induced lethargy. Now it’s time to make room in your refrigerator—and your belly—for more holiday delights. We’ve rounded up four food blogger recipes that fit the bill for festive entertaining. Bonus: they all feature the wholesome, nutritious goodness of Libby’s® Vegetables, so you can make it through this second round of feasting food coma-free. 

Carrot Soup Shooters

 

Lisa of Snappy Gourmet is the mastermind behind these Cinnamon Carrot Soup Shooters with Maple Glazed Bacon. It’s the type of recipe that sounds—and looks—impressively complicated, but in reality takes less than 30 minutes to pull together. The presentation is where things get fancy: homemade carrot soup (made with Libby’s® Sliced Carrots) is served in a shot glass and topped with crispy, sweet bacon.

Sweet Pea Casserole

 

Tiffany over at Eat At Home perfected the creamy-crunchy combination in this Creamed Sweet Pea Casserole. The recipe coats Libby’s® Sweet Peas in a special homemade sauce and sprinkles the mixture with French fried onions. 

Skillet Corn Bread

 

Jen and Sia, the duo that runs Thrifty Northwest Mom, concocted this Old Fashioned Skillet Corn Bread. It’s made with Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn and tastes just like that bread your grandmother used to make: sweet, moist and perfectly crispy on top.   

Green Bean Casserole Tartlets

 

We have Becky at The Two Bite Club to thank for these Green Bean Casserole Tartlets made with Libby’s® Cut Green Beans. It’s an adorable and tasty twist on an old holiday favorite.  

Beyond the Bird: Supreme Thanksgiving Sides

Let’s be honest: turkey isn’t the real star of Thanksgiving. Sure, the meat makes a pretty showpiece, but the true gems of the feast are those unexpectedly delightful side dishes. That salad with the uniquely zesty dressing. Those candied veggies that even the pickiest eater devours. The casserole you dream all year about. These are the eats that will have your guests talking long after the wishbone is snapped. Don’t have a knock-their-socks-off recipe? Don’t worry. Libby’s® is here to help.

Say Hello With Salad


 

“Salad” and “Thanksgiving” are rarely used in the same sentence, and that’s really a shame. Beginning the meal with a fresh concoction of greens–like this Peas, Carrots & Candied Walnut Salad—will thwart off the sluggish, over-stuffed feeling that usually follows the big feast. Do your guests a favor and serve this light and bright recipe featuring Libby’s® Peas & Carrots and a sweet-yet-tangy vinaigrette.

The Cornier, The Better  

 

There’s nothing wrong with being corny. In fact, this Old Fashioned Skillet Cornbread proves that in the culinary world, cornier = better. This classic recipe, featuring both Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn and corn meal, cooks in a cast iron skillet, which provides a uniquely crunchy and golden crust. Top it with a dollop of honey butter for pure perfection.

Bite Me, Please

 

What’s more fabulous than your favorite casserole? Your favorite casserole in bite-sized form, of course. These Green Bean Casserole Tartlets, made with Libby’s® Cut Green Beans, engage your fingers with fun and flavor.

Maintain the Magic: Quick & Easy Recipes for Holiday Entertaining

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.

Unplug, Relax & Unwind: Tips for Mindful Eating

A wholesome meal enjoyed in the company of loved ones can nourish our soul and sustain our spirits long after we digest the needed nutrients. In today’s fast-paced world, we often think of food as a means to an end: food = calories = energy needed to power through the day. To reconnect with the wholly satiating power of food, we invite you to practice mindful eating. Here are a few tips and recipes that will show you how.

1)     Digital Detox: Designate mealtime a device-free zone. By setting aside your technological distractions, you will focus your attention on the food you are putting in your mouth and fully appreciate the various tastes and textures at play. This Tortilla Chip Macaroni & Bean Soup—fortified with Libby’s® Organic Black Beans, fired up with chili powder and topped with crunchy tortilla chips—is a complex collection of flavors that deserves your undivided devotion.

 

2)     Bite by Bite: Instead of chowing at lightning pace, set down your fork after each bite and completely chew everything before going back for more. This will allow you to truly savor every bite and better recognize when you are full. In the spirit of taking things slow, try out this Slow Cooker Herbed Chicken and Veggies, a tender and melodic medley of bite-size chicken, Libby’s® Sliced Carrots, Sweet Peas and more. 

 

3)     Meaningful Chatter: The best complement to any meal is quality conversation. This means looking your dining mates in the eye, asking thoughtful questions and sharing important moments from your day. Get the conversation going with this El Paso Polenta Pie, a stick-to-your-ribs combo of polenta, Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn, Organic Black Beans and a decadent three-cheese blend.