Go For The Green

About author / Christine Gable

Culinary enthusiast; kids cuisine and slow cooking; magazine recipe developer; professional writer. Her simple recipes are great for family dinners.

It’s that time of the year when thoughts turn to leprechauns, legends, and green goodies galore—at the table too. St. Paddy's Day food at our house has taken many forms over the years. From making green eggs and ham and limeade to lemon-lime sherbet smoothies, it’s been fun and different each year. And some years have definitely been healthier than others.

One thing that makes these holidays even more fun for me as a mom is planning ahead—yes, when I’m prepared, life is good. Planning ahead gets five stars in my book, even when it’s something as simple as making sure there’s green food coloring in the cupboard. Because that is (as we all know) the simplest way to turn those eggs and ham as green as a lucky (or yucky?) lil' leprechaun. Then again, once your kids get wind of those little teardrop-shaped bottles of food dye, they may want to create a rainbow array of foods more often than you dare to dabble.

However, isn’t the whole idea of celebrating some of these holidays just for the sheer fun of it? To help brighten the doldrums that can settle in upon our ordinary days sometimes? I’ve heard it said that’s why we create our human rituals—to not only mark the passage of time, but to help us rise above the monotony of normal daily life.

And while I may not be as thrilled as my kids in forking up those green eggs and ham (or downing that queasy-looking green glass of juice or milk)—there are some other fun and exciting ways to bring this color into your St. Paddy's Day meal. Think green and you can go the veggie route too—they are the perfectly natural way to reach for this lucky emerald hue.

For those of you who are working at finding interesting ways to prepare and present more greens in your daily diet (and for St. Paddy's Day), how about:

• tossed green salad: try spinach, romaine, Greenleaf lettuce, cucumbers, even green peppers

• guacamole is deliciously green and provides healthful fats and a creamy accent to burritos or tacos—or just a dollop alongside that tossed salad

• sautéed greens, such as spinach, kale or broccoli is fabulous with a bit ‘o garlic and soy sauce

• spinach/garlic pesto over linguine makes a divine green complement to chicken, pork or fish

• fruit salad featuring kiwis, green apples, green grapes and walnuts

Here’s a zesty greens recipe to complement any dinner—from tacos to pizza to burgers—that’ll help turn the little leprechauns in your house into healthy green lovers.

Best of all, it’s easy enough for even your littlest ones to give a helping hand—how about letting them:

• wash the florets
• slice the florets into 1-inch pieces (for kids who are old enough to use a knife)
• place the broccoli in steamer
• toss the steamed broccoli (with tongs) with olive oil and garlic
• sprinkle the cheese on top of broccoli

And may the luck o’ the Irish be with ya throughout the coming year!

Serves/Makes: 4

• 1 head broccoli, cut into 1-inch florets
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 3/4 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese (or Muenster)
• 1 tablespoon Romano or Parmesan cheese