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New Libby’s® Vegetable Pouches Help Deliver Dinner in a Flash

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Marion, N.Y. (September 7, 2016) – Libby’s® Fruits & Vegetables announced today the launch of brand-new Libby’s®  Vegetable Pouches, which will begin rolling out at retailers across the country. A first for the vegetable market, Libby’s® Vegetable Pouches will sit alongside their canned counterparts on the shelf, but cook in less than 60 seconds in their own pouch – no pots or heating containers needed. The result: hot, nutritious vegetables in a flash and more time to enjoy food and family.

“Although most parents know vegetables are healthy, they are served at only 23 percent of dinners[1]. Libby’s understands that parents need options for bringing vegetables to the table that they can feel good about and that help preserve important family time,” said Bruce Wolcott, Vice President of Marketing for Seneca Foods. “New Libby’s®  Vegetable Pouches bring farm-fresh goodness to busy families, providing a wholesome addition that cooks quickly and is easy to enjoy together.”  

Libby’s designed these state-of-the-art, lightweight pouches containing Libby’s® Vegetables to make preparing and serving hot vegetables more convenient than ever. Libby’s® Vegetable Pouches:

  • Come in five family favorites – Sweet Peas, Cut Green Beans, Sliced Carrots, Whole Kernel Sweet Corn and Mixed Vegetables – and are all grown and packed in the United States
  • Stand up straight, are flexible, easy to open and fit nicely into kitchen cabinets, taking up less space  
  • Are shelf-stable – no need for refrigeration
  • Can be served hot or cold, by themselves or as the star ingredient in side dishes, appetizers and other recipes

To introduce the new Vegetable Pouches, Libby’s is teaming up with Donatella Arpaia, Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur and Head Judge on Food Network’s Iron Chef America, to develop exclusive recipes featuring the Vegetable Pouches. Arpaia’s recipes will be featured in the Libby’s® Digital Recipe Box, among hundreds of others that provide quick and easy ideas for preparing and serving vegetables.

“As a working mom, I know firsthand how tough it can be to get the wholesome goodness of vegetables on the dinner table after a busy day,” said Arpaia. “Libby’s® Vegetable Pouches are the perfect solution for these time-crunched moments, as they’re an easy, quick, healthy and delicious addition to side dishes, main courses and even appetizers. I can’t wait to share my new Vegetable Pouches recipes with other busy parents.”

About Libby’s® Fruits & Vegetables

Libby’s, the nation’s second largest brand of canned vegetables, has been a staple on American dinner tables since the 1880s. With 117 product varieties, Libby’s offers among the industry’s most complete lines of canned fruit and vegetables, including Libby’s® Naturals, which contain no added sugar or salt. Since 1983, Libby’s® Fruits & Vegetables have been produced and distributed by Marion, N.Y. based Seneca Foods Corporation, an independent, publicly traded, fully integrated food processing company. For more information on Libby’s and Seneca Foods visit www.senecafoods.com. For information on Libby’s mission, visit www.getbacktothetable.com, like Libby’s on Facebook, or follow @LibbysTable on Twitter or Pinterest.

 

[1] Wansink B, Shimizu M, and Brumberg A. How vegetables make the meal: their hedonic and heroic impact on perceptions of the meal and of the preparer. Public Health Nutrition. 2016. Available at:http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FPHN%2FPHN16_11%2FS1368980012004673a.pdf&code=2317478727e791c5a8274c4fdfabca59 

A “Toast" to Summer: Spreadable Snacks & Dips

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School’s out, the kids are home and the weather is heating up – all signs that summer is here! And that doesn’t just mean it’s time to get out the beach toys and roller blades. It’s also time to try some new summer recipe! Dips and spreads are perfect when the temperatures start to rise. Whether you’re throwing a backyard barbeque with your family and friends or whipping up yummy snacks for the kids, these are a few dishes that everyone can enjoy this summer.

Layer on the Fun 

Take a lesson from Iron Chef Donatella Arpaia and combine your favorite veggies into one delicious dip. This summer get colorful with her recipe for Seven Layer Dip. With seven full-flavored layers, your friends and family will be raving about every bite. From the Libby’s Whole Kernel Sweet Corn® to the Cut Green Beans®, this dip is packed with mouthwatering flavors and nutrients. Enjoy this at your next party with tortilla chips or veggies!

Turn Up the Heat

Spice things up with this Smoky Skillet Hot Corn Dip, perfect for topping on crackers, bread or endive. This flavorful dip satisfies taste buds with the combination of cheeses paired with hot jalapenos and Libby’s Whole Kernel Sweet Corn®.

Switch It Up

 

Step out of your mayo and mustard comfort zone and mix it up with unique sandwich toppers, like Smoky Carrot Hummus Sandwich Spread.  Incorporating veggies into lunchtime favorites is a simple and tasty way to ensure your family is getting the nutrients they need in the most satisfying way possible! If you’re looking for something lighter, layer it on toast or crackers – making the spread the star of your meal.

Healthy Thanksgiving Hacks

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By Kristin Kessler, Registered Dietitian

The holiday season is upon us, which means it’s time for fun, family, and food indulgence. Traditional Thanksgiving comfort foods like mashed potatoes and pie may be great for sentimental effect, but they aren’t great for the waistline. Try these healthy hacks to lighten up Turkey Day while still ensuring a happy, memorable meal for all.

Lighten Up Favorites

Thanksgiving comes just once a year, so this is not the time to forgo your favorite casserole or dessert! Instead, make just a few recipe modifications to cut down on the calories, fat, and/or sugar and create a “healthified” version. Swap butter with yogurt or cottage cheese, refined grains with whole grains (think: white rice versus brown rice or white bread versus whole wheat bread), and bake those previously fried recipes. Experiment with this Green Bean & Wild Rice Casserole, featuring Libby’s® French Style Green Beans. Cream of celery soup stands in for traditional cheese and butter, keeping the dish light, yet flavorful.

BYOHD (Bring Your Own Healthy Dish)

Curb overindulgence at Thanksgiving potlucks by contributing your finest go-to veggie or fruit-filled dish. That way, you know there will be at least one guilt-free option to lean on. This Carrot and Beet Salad (made with Libby’s® Sliced Carrots and Sliced Beets) makes a colorful, nutrient-rich addition alongside your favorite indulgences.

Make Like A Turkey and Trot

 

Let this Thanksgiving be about more than just food! Start the day with a brisk walk around the block to get your blood flowing and appetite revved. Then, remain mobile throughout the feast by pausing for mini stretch breaks in between courses. After you’ve filled up on food, ditch the usual turkey-induced nap and instead rally the group for a friendly game of flag football (once you’ve fully digested, of course.) 🙂

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

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With the arrival of May, calendars start to fill with impromptu gatherings and parties at every turn. Kicking off entertainment season is Cinco de Mayo – a holiday to celebrate with great food and drink. Whether you’re feeding a party or your usual crew, celebrate today with delicious dishes that embrace Mexican culture and heritage.

 

 

Mexican Lasagna 

Lasagna is always good to feed a crowd, so try this Mexican Lasagna that’s perfect for Cinco! Whip up this delicious meal including Libby’s® Organic Black Beans and hamburger or turkey as your meat of choice. You’ll have your family on their feet dancing for a second helping!

Looking for a kid-friendly favorite with a bit of gourmet flair? Lime and Cumin Chicken Tenders with Fiesta Rice is an easy way to give your kids flavor-bursting chicken and vegetables they’ll love. With fiesta in the name, you can rest assured this meal is Cinco de Mayo ready! 

Mexican Salsa Veggie Burgers

Mexican Salsa Veggie Burgers are meatless, hearty and reminiscent of restaurant-style refried beans – especially if served alongside brown rice. Libby’s® Organic Pinto Beans and Sweet Corn combine forces to give you a burger perfect for the occasion. If you like spicy, mix a pinch of cayenne pepper into the burgers or add diced jalapeno pepper to the salsa.

Warm Soups to Fight Cold Weather

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The winter weather can be brutal, with winds, freezing temperatures—sleet and snow! That’s why there’s nothing better than coming in after a cold day to a nice hot meal, like a hearty soup.  Here are some soup recipes that will keep your family warm and well fed.

 

 

Winter Minestrone

Minestrone is a great soup because of the variety of vegetables — and this one even includes some diced ham for protein.  It’s also a great choice for the cold winter months because the ingredients allow it to serve as a full meal.  Use Libby’s® Cut Green Beans and Mixed Vegetables to add great flavor to this rustic and classic dish.

Vegetable Sausage Soup

The sausage in this dish makes an ordinary vegetable soup into one with diverse spices and flavors. It’s a great choice to help you refuel after being outside in the cold. Use Libby’s® Cut Green Beans, Sliced Carrots and Whole White Potatoes to make a soup that will be a treat for the whole family.

Spicy Split Pea Bisque

Split pea soup is often singular in texture and flavor, but ours is not! This spicy dish calls for some chili powder and black pepper. Salty and crunchy bacon crumbles and a dollop of cool Greek yogurt mix up the consistency and offer a surprisingly delightful flavor combination. However, the peas are the star of this dish, so use Libby’s® Naturals Sweet Peas to get it started; the result will be a soup that is delicious and nutritious.

What’s your favorite soup? Serve it up and share a photo on our Facebook page!

Salt Sense

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By Deanna Segrave-Daly, RD

February is American Heart Health month so it’s a good time to talk about sodium. We tend to eat too much of this mineral that can have a negative impact on our blood pressure and in turn, our blood vessels and hearts.

It’s important to know where sodium lurks – it’s much more than just the salt you add to your food. A dash of salt makes many foods, like vegetables, more palatable; however, the biggest sodium contributors in our diet come from overly processed foods – not the salt we shake onto food. 

More than 75% of Americans’ sodium consumption comes from [1]: 

  • Fast foods / takeout pizza
  • Deli meats, bacon, hot dogs
  • Other processed foods like bread, rolls, ready-to-eat cereals 

The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. Here are some smart strategies to keep your food tasting good…with less sodium.

Top 10 Sodium Solutions for Good Salt Sense 

  • When buying processed foods – like bread, frozen meals or canned goods – look for lower sodium or no salt added options. 
  • Eat more potassium! Potassium balances out sodium in the body and is good for our hearts. Prime sources of potassium include beans, bananas, leafy greens, potatoes and yogurt. 
  • Use low-sodium broth as a base for homemade sauces, soups and stews. 
  • Use ¼ – ½ teaspoon less salt than you usually use in cooking and add a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar instead. The acidic liquid wakes up the flavor of your food. 
  • Check your condiments – spreads like teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, salad dressings, ketchup and relish tend to be higher in sodium. Look for less salt options or make your own toppers like this Smoky Carrot Hummus Sandwich Spread. 
  • Before eating out, look at menus online for nutrition information or once there, ask the waiter for lower sodium options. 
  • Make your own tomato sauce with “no salt added” canned, diced or pureed tomatoes, minced garlic, onion and fresh herbs for whole wheat pasta recipes and homemade pizza. 
  • Instead of snacking on pretzels, which can be high in sodium, swap for homemade popcorn or these Sweet & Smoky Peas. 
  • Experiment with different spices like smoked paprika, Chinese 5 powder spice, cumin, chili powder and red pepper flakes. They add lots of flavor without adding sodium, as seen with this Winter White Chili. 

And lastly, if you cook at home more often, you’re bound to decrease your sodium intake as you are in control of the ingredients. 

[1] http://www.cdc.gov/salt/pdfs/sources_of_sodium.pdf

[2] http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/011110p62.shtml