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Tasteful Entertaining

April Showers: Celebrating everything from babies to brides

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Spring inspires celebration. Even the weather says it’s time for a shower! Celebrating new brides and moms-to-be can be perfected with good food and company. Here are some tips for welcoming brides and babies into your inner circle in style. 

 

 

Pick a Theme

 

Keep the guest of honor top-of-mind when selecting the party’s theme. Does she have a favorite color, book, or sport? If so, prepare dishes that fit the mold. Everyone loves a themed appetizer or side dish, and by centering the party around your loved-one’s passion she’ll feel extra appreciated!  Let your guests in on the fun and take some of the pressure off by making it potluck style. Your leading lady’s favorites are sure to be represented in full force!

Convenience is Key

 

Serve finger foods so guests can easily move and mingle. If you’re hosting a brunch event consider preparing these Maple Cranberry Corn Muffins made with Libby’s® Sweet Corn. Rosemary Scallion Potato Puffs are an easy appetizer for an afternoon affair. And no party is complete without chips and dip. Sunshine Salsa will make your fete a fiesta!

Make it Last

 

Both new brides and new moms will be looking for new meal ideas! Before guests arrive, ask them to send you their favorite recipes, and compile the suggestions into a custom cookbook. One great weeknight meal ideal for busy families is Vegetarian Gumbo. The bride/mom can keep all of the ingredients, like Libby’s® Organic Black Beans, in the pantry, and pull everything together in a pinch when grocery shopping gets neglected. 

No matter what, remember a shower is all about bringing people together to celebrate a special person and a special occasion. As long as you focus on the bride or mom-to-be, your shower will be all blue skies ahead!

Chili Chow Down

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Winter is the perfect time for a hot and hearty meal — and what could be better than chili? Not all chili is created equal; there are many different types to enjoy. Whether you’re cooking for a family meal or a big football game gathering, here are a few recipes to test.

Beef and Bean Chili 

 Image via FoodNetwork.com

This is the classic take on chili — a mixture of beef and beans with a secret ingredient that’s sure to add a kick. Use Libby’s® Organic Pinto Beans for this dish that is sure to be a winner with the whole family. 

Winter White Chili 

A much lighter version, this dish substitutes the traditional beef with lean chicken. A variety of vegetables add a tasty and unique flavor to this meal. For this one, you’ll need Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn and Libby’s® Organic Garbanzo Beans.

Black Bean Salsa Chili

  

Despite its name, turkey and bacon are actually the main stars in this chili dish, but that doesn’t mean the beans aren’t important! Use Libby’s® Black Beans to add a rich and delicious flavor to this meal. 

What are your favorite ingredients to put in chili? Sound off on our Facebook page!

One-Pot Meals Bring Perfection to Dinnertime

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During this busy time of year, we could all use some short cuts. Cooking dinner is one of the biggest chores of the day—but these one-pot meals are simple to make and delicious.

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Stew

This is a great hearty dinner for the cold winter nights. The beauty of the slow cooker is being able to throw all of the ingredients in and letting it work its magic. You don’t have to worry about constantly checking a pot on the stove.  Libby’s® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn and Libby’s® Sliced Carrots add delicious veggie flavor.

Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup

This is a really satisfying meal for a busy weeknight. And it certainly delivers your daily dose of veggies!  You’ll need two cans of Libby’s® Mixed Vegetables and one can of Libby’s® Sliced Carrots for this recipe. 

Make Your Own Cloth Napkins

With dinner taken care of, you’ll have some time to spend on an interesting project. So many of us are DIYers—why not make something that you can use for this and future dinners? And think of it this way: You’ll also be more sustainable because you won’t be wasting paper.

What’s your favorite one-pot recipe? Share your go-to winter recipe on our Facebook page.

Creative Ways to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers

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Thanksgiving gives us the chance to spend time with our family, be thankful for all of the good things in our lives, and, of course, eat delicious food. From turkey to stuffing to pies, there is always enough food to last for days! Here are some ways to make Thanksgiving leftovers just as exciting the second time around.

Grilled Turkey Reuben Wraps

Most families have plenty of leftover turkey to go around—it’s a matter of finding creative ways to use it! Use fresh turkey here to make this twist on the classic deli sandwich; it’s so much better than cold cuts. Give the sandwich its trademark kick with Libby’s® Sauerkraut and enjoy!

Leftover Stuffing Veggie Bites

Stuffing always takes center stage as far as side dishes go, but there’s only so much of it you can eat after Thanksgiving has come and gone. These tasty veggie bites combine stuffing, along with half a can of Libby’s® Peas and half a can of Carrots to give the holiday side dish new life—and makes them the perfect complement to any leftover dinner.   

Day-After Turkey Soup

Nothing beats a warm, hearty soup on a cold day. This recipe gives you the chance to mix Thanksgiving turkey with some vegetables that didn’t grace the holiday table. To make this recipe even easier to prepare, substitute one can of Libby’s® Cut Green Beans in place of fresh, a can of Sliced Carrots instead of sweet potatoes, and a can of Whole Kernel Sweet Corn instead of frozen.  Feel free to add more or less of each veggie to your liking! 

Dip, Dip, Hooray!

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A delicious dip is designed to be shared and truly brings people together. By combining the right flavors, textures and atmosphere you can create the ideal snack or appetizer for any occasion.

Final Summer Bash

Before the days get too short and the weather gets too cold, host one last backyard barbecue. Create dishes that encompass your favorite summer flavors, like Sunshine Salsa or Corn and Jalapeno Dip. Arrange the dip with potato chips in a fun and colorful dish. You can even make your own chip and dip server, as illustrated in this easy and creative DIY project!

Afterschool Snack

After school lets out, tempt your young ones with a sweet snack that sneaks in the nutrition. Serve apple slices or graham crackers alongside this Healthy Cookie Dough Dip. The secret ingredient is garbanzo beans, which will help keep your kids full until dinner is served! If your kids are eating their after-school-snack on the way to their basketball, ballet or bassoon lessons pack everything ahead of time in a handy reusable container.

Evening with Adults

You’ll want to remember this final dip for all your grown-up occasions. Serve Smoky Carrot Hummus the next time your book club meets or your in-laws come over for dinner. This dip pairs perfectly with whole-grain crackers or slices of French bread. The beautiful bright color of this salsa will really pop when served in a clean white dish.

Do you have any tips about dips? Share your favorite recipes and serving suggestions with us on Facebook and Twitter!

Building A Better Burger

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It’s officially mid-summer, the peak time for beach weekends, outdoor family activities and backyard barbeques. Summer grilling doesn’t need to consist of plain old hamburgers. Adding veggies to classic barbeque dishes is a great way to elevate flavor and add extra nutrition. Your kids may not even notice the healthy additions!

Before your next big cookout, check out these recipe ideas for building a better burger this summer.

Bring on the Black Beans

Black beans are fiber-rich, which means they will help keep your appetite satisfied for longer and are a healthy alternative to meat. Black bean patties aren’t just for vegetarians; even meat-lovers will enjoy this dish when topped with traditional condiments and a fresh bun. Use two cans of Libby’s® Organic Black Beans from Food Network personality Sandra Lee’s Black Bean Burger recipe.

Crazy About Corn

Have you ever considered adding canned corn to your burger patty? Mix corn with your favorite seasonings such as salt and pepper and onions, and add into your patty mixture for a new spin on a classic dish. This recipe is equally delicious for beef, turkey and black bean patties.

Pile on the Toppings

If your burgers are typically dressed with only ketchup and mustard, add some more veggies, fruit and herbs for a pop of flavor and tasty texture. Libby’s® Crispy Sauerkraut adds a bit of crunch and zest to a juicy burger. Other unique combinations include feta and fresh dill or avocado, lime juice and cilantro.

Australian Inspiration

Did you know that beets are a common burger topping in Australia? Take a note from our friends down under and try adding this super food to your meal. Truly authentic Aussie Burgers will also be topped with a fried egg, but you can also try a gourmet variation such as Libby’s® Sliced Beets and goat cheese.