Family Features
Whether you’re preparing a quick break ast for the family, feeding a crowd at dinner or looking for a light lunch
f
for yourself, the key to a delicious, nutritious homemade meal is just minutes away thanks to the canned foods
in your pantry. “Canned fruits and vegetables are a must in my pantry. They are picked and canned at the peak of
ripeness, hours after they’re harvested, locking in their flavor, freshness and nutrition,” says Kelsey Nixon, host of
“Kelsey’s Essentials” on Cooking Channel and Food Network. “Having canned fruits and vegetables on hand means
a healthy snack, meal or side dish is achievable anytime.”
In addition to nutrient-rich staples like tomatoes, corn and beans, Nixon recommends stocking up on ingredients
such as canned olives, tuna, artichokes, pumpkin and chiles. These canned foods can elevate the flavors of a dish and
breathe new life into some of your favorite recipes.
Here are some more great tips and delicious recipes from Nixon:
• Keeping a well-stocked pantry, or “Cantry,” will help you avoid unnecessary trips to the grocery store after a
long day.
• Tomato-based canned ingredients, like diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, are the most versatile when it comes
to making a wide variety of recipes like chili, salsa, marinara sauce, soups or casseroles.
• Canned fruits add an unexpected twist to savory dishes, and can transform recipes in exciting ways. Just add
canned peaches to homemade barbecue sauce or canned pine pple to curries and stir-fry recipes for a healthy
a
and flavorful upgrade.
For more information and to learn how you can get cooking with canned foods, visit: www.CansGetYouCooking.com.
30 West Virginia Farm Bureau News