Tasteful Entertaining

Ultimate Holiday Side Dishes

December 20, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

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.

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.

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.

Sidesgiving Bracket Challenge

November 2, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and what would the holiday season be without family traditions? From Green Bean Casserole to Old Fashioned Skillet Corn Bread, everyone has a favorite Thanksgiving side. That got us wondering: is there one Thanksgiving side everyone loves more than the others?

To find out, we turned to you to share your can-did opinions on the best side. Family classics faced off in our official Sidesgiving bracket. The rivalry heated up faster than a deep-fried turkey, and you used your votes to decide which dish won the coveted title by voting in our Sidesgiving Bracket challenge on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

It was a tough choice, but stuffing gobble, gobble, gobbled up the competition and was ultimately crowned the winner! Bring the Sidesgiving champion to your table with this delicious Bacon Corn Sourdough Stuffing from Nutmeg Nanny.

Easy Recipes to Complement Grilled Entrees

June 28, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

Summer is heating up! Host the hottest party of the summer with quick and easy side dish recipes – the perfect complement to your favorite grilled entrees.

It’s the time of year when the scent of hamburgers and steaks cooking on the grill waft through the summer air. And, no one wants to spend warm summer days inside cooking, so here are some tips to take your kitchen outdoors.

With easy recipes that can be made on the grill, summer entertaining is a breeze. Libby’s® Vegetable Pouches are convenient for creating unique and flavorful staples that are sure to be a hit at any backyard barbeque.

Invite a few friends—or whole neighborhood—and host the party of the summer without spending hours in the kitchen!

Get the Party Started

For a summertime twist on an Italian favorite, try this sweet corn and tomato pesto bruschetta. Toast the baguette on the grill and top with pesto and a mixture of diced tomatoes and Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn Pouches.

Skip the Kitchen

No need to spend hours in the kitchen, with these vegetable medley foil packs by Creme de la Crumb because you can cook them right on the grill. Combine Libby’s® Mixed Vegetables and Sliced Carrots Pouches with some herbs for a flavorful and healthy addition to any meal. Bonus: Individual foil packs make for easy servings and quick clean-up!

Mix it Up

Trade the traditional pasta salad for this lightened-up bacon and pea summer salad by Southern Bite. Just tear open Libby’s® Sweet Peas Pouches, add some dressing and top with cooked bacon crumbles for a side dish that screams summer.

Game Day Necessities: Touchdown Worthy Appetizers and Dips

January 31, 2018 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

Big sporting events like this weekend’s Super Bowl are great opportunities to spend time with family and friends, but let’s admit the best part of the big game is the food! Get ready to invite your family and friends over to enjoy delicious recipes that your crowd will cheer for all night long. You’ll be sure to score a touchdown with these yummy choices on the table.

Throw Some Cheese On It

Have you ever seen potato skins like these? These Veggie Stuffed Potato Skins with Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn Vegetable Cups will have everyone going for seconds during commercial breaks.

Dip Right In

The ultimate crowd pleaser. This Seven Layer Dip is sure to be a hit at your big game gathering with layers of delicious and savory goodness. Pair this dip with some fresh tortilla chips and veggies and get ready to watch it disappear.

Oh, Smokey Goodness!

Mozzarella and Gouda, oh my! This one skillet full of Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn, mixed veggies, and cheese trifecta is none other than the Smoky Skillet Hot Corn Dip. The smoky and cheesy flavor combination will be sure to take you to the goal line!

Chicken Fiesta

Score the winning touchdown with these flavorful Mixed Veggie & Chicken Quesadillas made by Haylie Duff. Filled with Libby’s® Mixed Vegetables, these are the perfect game day fuel, easy to grab-and-go and most importantly—feed a crowd!

Gobble Up: Last Minute Dishes for the Big Day

November 22, 2017 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

Ready or not – Thanksgiving is here! You’ve been preparing for the holidays and getting everything in line, but sometimes things can slip through the cracks and you’re all of a sudden in a time crunch. Here at Libby’s®, we know the importance of getting back to the table and enjoying Thanksgiving dinner together. To help put your mind at ease, we have a few last minute dishes that will keep the whole family happy and full – and they won’t even realize these were last minute!

Stir Up Some Greens

Green beans are a classic tradition to the Thanksgiving meal alongside the main course. Try these simple Southern Styled Green Beans made with Libby’s® Cut Green Beans. Simply add onion, potatoes, pancetta, and spices for an easy and tasty side dish.

Sweeten Your Day

Brown sugar is a staple ingredient for several holiday dishes – so it’s a must that you have one at the table this Thanksgiving. If you’re in a rush, try this Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots recipe made with Libby’s® Sliced Carrots and just four other ingredients. This delicious recipe only takes five minutes and is easily a crowd favorite.

Bring Something New to the Table

While having the traditional meal is yummy for everyone, why not bring something new to the family gathering? A simple side dish or snack while watching football on the couch are these Easy Pickled Beets, perfect for pairing with a cheese plate and crackers.

Don’t Forget Dietary Restrictions

You may have some family members with dietary restrictions such as gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan. Bring this easy-to-make Vegan Creamed Corn made with Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn and vegan ingredients. They will appreciate you remembering their special dietary needs!

Haylie Duff Talks Summer Entertaining, Grilling and the Key to a Perfect Outdoor Party

June 14, 2017 by libbysvegdev Leave a Comment

A Q&A Discussion with the Actress, TV Host and Mother

Summer is (finally) here! What do you enjoy most about summer entertaining compared to entertaining other times of the year?

I am all about summer entertaining! I love to grill and cook outside, so I always love when the weather warms up and we get to bring it outdoors! There are so many ways to get creative cooking outdoors and a lot less cleanup! During an episode of Haylie’s America (in Louisiana) I fell in love with cooking in cast iron over an open flame. I think it reminded me of my Texas roots. Now, my favorite summer recipe is paella cooked outside. Libby’s Sweet Peas Pouch are a perfect addition!

When temperatures climb, the last place many of us want to be is the kitchen. What tips do you have for keeping things cool while cooking?

Well, one great way is to sip on something cool…like agua fresca! I also tend to eat lighter during the summer. My Pea Pesto Salmon is a great summer recipe because it is nutritious and has a bright flavor to lighten up your taste buds!

What would you say are the two most important components for a hosting a successful summer dinner party?

I always say that a relaxed vibe is the #1 component for ANY successful dinner party! No one wants a stressed out hostess. The 2nd most important would be to consider the warm temperatures! Don’t serve dinner outdoors if it is too warm outside without providing shade and cold drinks! No matter how good the food might be, no one will enjoy baking in the sun. Umbrellas are always a good idea!

Much of summer entertaining revolves around the BBQ. What are some of your go-to sides to serve alongside grilled entrees?

I LOVE veggies on a grill. Kabobs are always a win. Layering chicken, shrimp, etc. with whole mushrooms is my go to. The mushrooms tend to absorb flavors well and I love keeping them whole. I also really love kabobs with halved sweet onions. For those of you that ready my blog, you know I don’t dig raw onions! I do however love caramelized and BBQ ones…

Editor’s note: Haylie created a special side dish recipe just for Libby’s® fans – Southern Style Green Beans! Check it out here.

What’s your favorite summer beverage to serve with a warm weather feast?

Agua frescas, white wine sangrias, or cucumber infused water! Anything nice and chilled!

Tasteful Entertaining

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