Embrace the Green for St. Patrick’s Day
Posted: March 4, 2021 | By: Stacy Croninger
St. Patrick’s Day is all about green, gold, and rainbows. And while we can’t get you the pot of gold or ensure a rainbow shines over your house, we can help you add green to your life. These tasty food options can help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or use them any day.
Plenty of Greens in Salads
Salads are naturally green, when you use lettuce, spinach, or kale. If you have a salad planned, try these tips for getting more green into your salads:
- Try a variety of lettuce types instead of just iceberg, like butter, green leaf, romaine
- Mix in spinach and kale
- Sprinkle cooked edamame on salads to up your protein
- Add other green veggies like cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, or green peppers
Looking for a fun salad for your St. Patty’s Day dinner? This salad takes green to new levels and is perfect for welcoming spring.
All the Green Things Salad recipe (found on CookingLight)
1 1/2 cups frozen green peas
1 lb asparagus, trimmed and cut diagonally into 2 1/2″ pieces (4 cups)
12 oz sugar snap pease, trimmed (about 4 cups)
3 Tbsp minced shallots/green onions
3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, or oil of choice
1 1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
4 oz pea tendrils, pea shoots, or watercress (about 5 cups)
1 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/2 cup torn fresh mint leaves
1 firm, ripe avocado, cubed
Directions: Bring a large Dutch oven filled with water to a boil over high. Add green peas, asparagus, and sugar snap peas; boil until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and rinse well with cold water; drain well.
Whisk together shallots, oil, rind, juice, mustard, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add blanched vegetables; toss well to coat. Add pea tendrils, parsley leaves, mint leaves, and cubed avocado; toss gently to combine.
Non-Salad Options for Greens
You can make every meal a little green with a few easy swaps and recipes. Again, these are fun for St. Patrick’s Day but you can enjoy them all year.
Breakfast
If you’re short on time, make a green smoothie that includes protein powder (check out these Youngevity options). Need a green smoothie recipe? Check out The Greenest Smoothie recipe. If you don’t have greens on hand, Super Greens is a great alternative to add to your favorite smoothie.
For days with a little more time, these Bacon and Egg Cups that are packed with veggies (you can decide which green ones to include) or whip up a Spinach Frittata, like this one from HGTV.
Snacks
The easiest way to get greens into snacks is to have a few veggies prepped and in the fridge so you can easily grab them. Try green pepper strips, celery sticks, cucumber slices, or broccoli.
For days when you want something more, this Roasted Eggplant Dip will hit the spot. Plus, you can make it in advance so it is ready when you need a pick-me-up.
Main Meals
Standard St. Patrick’s Day dinners involve Corn Beef and Cabbage, Irish Stew, or Shepherd’s Pie. This year, why not try Pea and Spinach Soup for a green meal you’ll love.
If you’re hankering for a Shepherd’s Pie, this Spring Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie from Cooking Light is a great alternative.
Spring Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie
2 (12 oz) pkg. frozen riced cauliflower (or make your own from fresh cauliflower)
1 (6.6 oz) pkg. light garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese (such as Boursin)
1 1/2 Tbsp Canola oil, or oil of choice
1 lb ground turkey
2 cups chopped carrots
1 3/4 cups chopped zucchini
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 cup frozen sweet peas
3/4 tsp kosher salt
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour, or thickener of choice
1 tsp fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
1 1/2 cups unsalted chicken stock
1/2 tsp black pepper
Directions: Preheat broiler to high with oven rack in upper middle position.
Microwave cauliflower according to package directions until tender. Combine cauliflower and cheese in a food processor; process until smooth.
Heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high. Add turkey, and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until turkey begins to brown, about 4 minutes. Add carrots, zucchini, onion, and peas; stir to combine. Add salt, and cook, stirring often, 4 minutes. Add flour and 1 teaspoon thyme; stir to combine. Increase heat to high, and add chicken stock. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. Spoon cauliflower mixture over turkey and vegetable mixture in skillet, smoothing top with a spoon; sprinkle with pepper.
Broil until cauliflower topping is golden brown in spots, 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle with additional thyme leaves. Serve immediately.
Start Celebrating the Green
You have recipe options for St. Patrick’s Day so you’re ready to make the meal plan, hang a few decorations, and have fun. To add to the festivities, try sprinkling gold coins around (chocolate varieties or fake), make a rainbow by hanging colorful streamers, or cover the table with paper shamrocks and four leaf clovers.
No matter what you do for St. Patrick’s Day, keep these green ideas handy for snacks and meals when you need more green in your life.
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