By Rachel King and Maddy Talbert
What better way is there to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than by eating a meal composed entirely of green foods? Whether you decide to dine out or whip up your own festive meal, here are some green foods to make the most of your St. Patrick’s Day experience.
Appetizers
Guacamole
No party is truly complete without a bowl of guacamole. It’s simple to make, customizable and the perfect party pleaser. Buy a bag of tortilla chips to pair it with, and voíla! Don’t forget to leave in the avocado pit to best preserve the buttery taste.
Spinach Dip
Impress your friends by making (or buying pre-made) spinach dip. There are also a variety of foods you can easily serve it with: french bread, pretzels, crackers and pumpernickel bread, for instance. It’s a tasty and easy option for any get-together.
Avocado Toast
Would we even be true millennials if we didn’t mention the most iconic food of our generation? Tasty, simple, and surprisingly not the cause of broke college students, avocado toast is a favorite among many. Toast some bread, mash some avocados and add a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and you instantly have a great dish.
Entrees
Zucchini Noodles
A healthy alternative to pasta, show your peers you care about their health by cooking them some zucchini noodles with you choice of sauce. Zucchini pairs well with marinara, alfredo or a simple butter sauce, so feel free to experiment with a variety of flavors as well as toppings, like shrimp, chicken or tofu.
Pistachio-Crusted Salmon
If you’re feeling fancy, take the already sophisticated dish of salmon and elevate it to the next level with crushed pistachios. This requires little effort, yet is very original and is almost guaranteed to be something your friends and family have never seen.
Pesto Pasta
A classic Italian dish that’s both easily cooked and widely ordered is pesto pasta. There’s so much flexibility with this meal that you can use bowtie, penne, spaghetti, or any other type of pasta. Besides the traditional pine nuts, basil, garlic and olive oil, spice up your pesto with a cheese of your choice to bring the whole dish together.
Dessert
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Ice cream can be difficult to make, so give yourself a free pass and visit the nearest store for the cool, refreshing taste of mint chocolate chip ice cream. The light minty flavor and rich chocolate chunks will surely put a smile on your face.
Lime Jello
Neon green and reminiscent of your childhood, Jello is the one of the easiest desserts to make. If you want to be a real dessert aficionado, make the jello in a wide dish and use a shamrock-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the shapes.
Green Rice Krispy Treats
They’re like regular Rice Krispy treats, but 100 times more festive and fun! Melt some marshmallows and add some green food coloring and Rice Krispies, and you’ll have a delightful sugary treat to eat.
Drinks
Shamrock Shakes
Treat yourself to a bright green milkshake that’s both minty fresh and delicious! It’s seasonal, so there’s no need to feel bad about splurging on a large one.
Matcha Latte
Matcha brings the best of both worlds by being tasty and extremely healthy. Matcha has a lot of positive benefits, from antioxidants to vitamins and minerals; you don’t have to sacrifice taste for health. Add the matcha powder to water, stir until the lumps are gone and then stir in milk, adding honey to taste.
Virgin Margarita
To cleanse your palate after eating a plethora of green foods, mix either sparkling water or lemon-lime soda with some limeade for a pleasantly fruity margarita. For a professional touch, coat the rims of your glasses with salt and top with a lime wedge. Everyone will think you’ve been making these for years.
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The Spread 