**Disclosure: I received free samples of Libby’s new Vegetable Pouches mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by Libby’s and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.**
You know that I am a college student living in a dorm with not the best kitchen access (but still 100x better than most!) and little time. What if I wanted to host a small get together in my dorm room? What could I whip up in under 10 minutes and with minimal space, appliances, and with quick ease? That’s where Libby’s Fruits & Vegetables new Vegetable Pouches comes in!
Everyone is familiar with Libby’s famous Pumpkin Puree (the only pumpkin puree you’ll find in my cabinet!), but they are also coming out with a new product which is these veggie pouches! What makes them so cool is how quick, effortless, and simple they are!
These shelf-stable and microwavable veggie pouches are 100% farm fresh, packaged in environmentally-friendly material, BPA-Free, flexible, and easy to store. All you have to do is rip the corner of the package a bit to vent, and then microwave the package standing up for only 40-50 seconds! Then just drain and use to your liking. You can have your healthy veggies ready in a flash which makes them perfect to use as the star ingredient in a quick appetizer, side, salad, even soup!
As a Recipe ReDux member, I was tasked to create either an appetizer, soup, salad, or side dish in under 10 minutes using Libby’s new pouches. Minimal ingredients, minimal work, and ready in a flash was the name of the game. I’d say this was the perfect opportunity to let you all see that if a college girl with minimal resources could make a crazy awesome appetizer, anyone can! All you need are the ingredients above, along with a small food processor and of course a microwave!
This came together so quickly, I even surprised myself! It’s perfect! When you get a call from some friends asking if they can drop by in 10 minutes, you no longer need to panic! You can quickly whip these up and impress with a fabulous healthy gluten-free, vegan, paleo, veggie-packed appetizer! I think they look so cute too!
Now what makes these seemingly simple appetizers so special? (Besides the quick veggie pouches that is!) Well, I used black garlic! What is black garlic? It is actually fermented garlic for 1 month in a special high-heat process. This produces a rich black color with a soft, chewy texture and a mild, sweet-savory taste that might be classified as “umami” (the fifth taste). I got this gem from Frieda’s and thought this would be the perfect opportunity to use it!
If you don’t have black garlic you can use normal roasted garlic with a splash of good balsamic! Still tasty and still super easy!
These appetizers are sweet, savory, garlicky, and easily eaten with your hands! The cucumber provides the perfect thick base and nice crunch! You could also use the pesto as a dip for carrots and celery, or even a spread for crackers! (Maybe make a sandwich with any leftovers!
10-Minute Black Garlic Sweet Pea Pesto Appetizers
Ingredients: (serves 4-6)
+ 1 Package of Libby’s Sweet Pea Vegetable Pouches (1 1/2 cups of Sweet Peas)
+ 4 Cloves of Black Garlic (or 4 cloves of roasted garlic with 1 TB Balsamic Vinegar)
+ 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
+ 1/4 Tsp Black Pepper
+ 1 Tsp Dried Basil (plus more for garnish)
+ 2 Medium Cucumbers (cut into 1/2 inch thick rounds)
Directions:
+ Microwave the Sweet Pea veggie pouch according to directions, drain the water, and pour the peas into a food processor.
+ Add to the processor the garlic, onion powder, pepper, and basil.
+ Process until mostly smooth. Scrap the sides and make sure everything is equally distributed throughout the pesto.
+ Simply dollop about 1 tablespoon of the pesto on to each cucumber round and plate! Then sprinkle the dish with additional basil to make look even prettier 😉
That’s it! Can you make a tastier, quicker, appetizer than that? I challenge you to try! Libby’s Vegetable pouches will be out in select Walmart stores this Fall, but won’t be out nationally until January 2015. The other varieties (besides the sweet peas) that they have are: sweet corn, sliced carrots, cut green beans, and mixed vegetables!
That’s a wrap! I hope you really give these a try when you need a quick healthy appetizer solution for entertaining! It would also be perfect to whip up for any holiday gatherings! No stress here, but so impressive to your guests!
So tell me:
+ What is your go-to appetizer when you have guests over?
+ What would you make with Libby’s new Vegetable Pouches?
*Recipe linking up for the week! Allergy Free Wednesdays, #RecipeFridays, #RecipeOfTheWeek, #StrangeButGood, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Real Food Friday, Gluten-Free Fridays, Tasty Tuesdays, Savoring Saturdays, Healthy Vegan Fridays, #WeekendBites, Real Food Recipe Roundup, Tasty Tuesdays, Meatless Mondays, Lena’s Tasty Tuesdays!*
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Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
Super creative and delicious looking!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Tammy @ TOTS Family
Those are so pretty! Thanks for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party! I’ve pinned you post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Raia
Oh wow, these sound amazing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Cindys Recipes and Writings
I never made pesto with peas, sounds like a great idea!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Super healthy! But not really a “pesto” 😉
kimmythevegan
Black garlic huh? I haven’t seen that around yet, but I’ll be sure to keep my eyes open for it – it sounds great.
I love the idea of a super quick appetizer for last minute guests! Or just for me haha ;p
Thanks for sharing this over at Healthy Vegan Fridays. I have pinned & shared your recipe.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It’s so awesome!
Haha, when I made these the first time, yea…..I ate them all 😉
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
That looks like a fabulous appetizer! I’ve never heard of black garlic but now I want to try it. We are garlic fiends around here! Thanks for sharing it with us at Foodie Fridays…hope to see you again tomorrow night!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well if you love normal garlic, then this will blow your mind 😉 It’s sweet and “balsamicy”, just plain awesome!
Deborah Davis
Hi Rebecca,
I love to have a few quick and easy appetizer recipes like these on hand social emergencies and surprise guests so thank you so much for sharing this black garlic sweet pea pesto recipe at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I appreciate it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally! Thanks Deb!
Judee@ Gluten Free A-Z Blog
I’ve never heard about black garlic before until an hour ago! twice in an hour is well weird. I have to try it. Your recipe looks perfect for Thanksgiving appetizers. Thanks
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, it is a sign!
Thanks Judee 🙂
Stephanie
How delicious!! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
vegetarianmamma (Cindy)
Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays Party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂 I can’t wait to see what you share next time!
-Cindy
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Honest mum
Fab for dinner parties! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally!
Marla
Hi Rebecca,
Sounds quite tasty and healthy. I love that you use the fresh cucumbers for the sauce. Thanks for sharing on Real food Fridays blog hop. Pinned & twitted.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Linda @ Veganosity
Cucumbers make the best vessel for holding a dip or a spread. These are beautiful and healthy, nice job!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right!? Plus you don’t have to worry about allergies 😉
Thank you Linda! XOXO
Chaitali
Wow, these look so cool and so easy! I’ve never tried black garlic before or the Libby’s veggie pouches. I’m going to have to look for both at the grocery store.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The pouches are only in select store until next year! But be on the look out!
Lean Lena
That looks SO good! Thanks for linking up with Tasty Tuesday, Rebecca 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating
Woah! Libby’s is stepping up it’s game! I need these vegetable pouches in my life. Now just have my fingers crossed I can find them in a nearby store…haha.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They won’t be out nationally (like I said in the post) for a few months still! 😉
Rebecca
Great idea! Maybe I’ll make these as a quick Thanksgiving appetizer 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thatbeould be perfect 😉 That’s the first “crowd-gathering” I had in mind!
Lauren @ Fun, Fit, and Fabulous!
This looks amazing! I’ve never tried cooking with black garlic but now I’m inspired. My favorite apatizer to take to a party is a cold quinoa and veggie citrus salad that libby’s veggie pouches would be perfect for!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I wasn’t sure how the black garlic would taste, but it was fantastic!
Cold quinoa salads are so great! You can make huge batches and hoard some leftovers too 😉
Natalie
These look great! The pesto reminds me of a nut pate, but with no nuts, just veggies. Nice pictures too 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
PEA PATE! Haha 😉
You don’t even know the struggle these photos caused…(i.e. taken in a dorm room with no windows and and ugly overhead light and then tried to fix by editing them…a lot!)
Natalie
Been there…done that. I’m not proud of my early blog pics, but you pulled it off 🙂
Bailey K.
Yum! I love that you don’t need oil for this pesto!! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I didn’t really know what to call it. Pesto, dip, hummus? I just went with pesto, haha!
Bailey K.
Sounds good to me! 🙂
Rachel
These sound delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
The Food Hunter
I love black garlic and this sounds amazing
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Woohoo black garlic!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens
I bet these pouches come in handy on busy days. Love that you used cucumber as the base for your appetizers! Go to appetizers are usually veggie sticks and dips like hummus. Simple, easy, and healthy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Veggies make the best healthy and light appetizers!
Emily @ Zen & Spice
So creative! I love making little party bites like this 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I’ve never made any type of appetizer before! But these worked out perfectly!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner
How creative! Love those and thanks for adding your link again always love to have you participate
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Sue Parke
Yum! Looks delish!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Sue!
Sues
I didn’t even know Libby’s made these! This is such a fun appetizer!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Like I said in the post, they’re new!
GiGi Eats
Libby’s! What on earth are you doing branching out! Well if these are anything like their beloved pumpkin, I am down to shove my face in a bag! 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Their even coming out with ORGANIC pumpkin!!!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie
These sound delicious! I can’t wait until I can get my hands on these little pouches, they sound perfect for whipping up quick dishes!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The quickest microwavable veggies yet!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
Haven’t tried black garlic but this sounds incredible!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks! It is totally something to try!
Karen
Your appetizers look delicious! I’ve never seen black garlic, but I’m intrigued now and really want to look it up.
I’m adding these to my appetizer collection. Thanks for sharing – pinning & tweeting.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks! Black garlic is amazing! I don’t like a strong garlic flavor, but this garlic is so mild and sweet!