With St. Patrick's Day right the corner, there's no better time to take a bite out of something green and delicious. Green doesn't always mean leafy and healthy, and this roundup of recipes featured both sides of that. Get in the spirit of the holiday by feasting on these drinks and dishes yourself, or at least leave something out for the leprechauns.
St. Patrick's Day Hot Chocolate
Unfortunately, it doesn't always warm up right away in March and some St. Patty's Days can be quite chilly. Lucky for any parade-goers, this hot cocoa is the perfect way to defrost while still staying in the spirit.
Shamrock Shake
Most people have become used to seeing the iconic McDonald's Shamrock Shake popping up right around the holiday. For those at campuses that are too far to make a trip to pick one up, don't worry. It's not hard to make the shakes yourself at home!
Lucky Charms Pancakes
Lucky Charms are an iconic childhood breakfast cereal. Making this breakfast is great for walking down memory lane, while also showing off your holiday spirit. Just throw some marshmallows on top and you have yourself a "magically delicious" meal.
Green Smoothie
On a slightly healthier note, there are green drinks out there that have a little more spinach and a little less ice cream and chocolate. This drink is a wonderful way to start off the day. Despite the appearance, there aren't unmanageable amounts of veggies thrown in.
Crostini With Pea and Avocado Spread
If you're on the prowl for some St. Patty's appetizers that are perfect for sharing, look no further. These bite-sized palate pleasers are made with not one, but TWO tasty (and healthy) ingredients. Set out a bowl of the spread or slap some on in advance to earn some killer hosting creds.
Matcha Buttermilk Pancakes
Matcha has become a more prevalent ingredient in recipes everywhere. By incorporating it into your breakfast, you can benefit from its many health perks. Best of all is that it's yet another green food to get you into the spirit.
Green Drink Trio
Clicking the link for this recipe will take you to not one, not two, but THREE different drink recipes. Each option will appeal to a different crowd. I guarantee you'll want to drink them even when it's not St. Patrick's Day.
Basil Hummus
Not many dishes are ready to go in under ten minutes. This basil hummus spread is made by just throwing all the ingredients together in a food processor or blender and watching that beautiful basil color take over. It pairs well with any kind of dipper and is super easy to store for later snacking.
Healthy Matcha Banana Ice Cream
Matcha strikes yet again as in ingredient in ice cream that is a much better alternative than the classic kind. The best part about it is that there are only three ingredients: bananas, matcha and sweetened condensed milk. They're easy to find and together make a great dessert.
Thin Mint Cookie Truffles
Girl Scout cookie season is beginning to end right around mid-March, which means that it's the last chance to stock up on the last few boxes. If you're trying to get rid of the ones you already have, this recipe revamps the flavors for a great new treat.
Avocado Potato Toasts
Everyone's heard of avocado toast, but this recipe uses a different base than bread. Using potatoes in this recipe is an awesome way to touch back on any Irish roots. It's still a green topping that's totally natural without a single drop of food coloring.
Copycat Matcha Kit Kats
Yet another matcha recipe - these matcha Kit-Kats are a great substitute for the real name-brand kind that might be harder to find. Three ingredients are all you need to transform some plain wafers into candy as legit as the real thing. These would work perfectly in a St. Patty's Day goodie bag.
Tomatillo Salsa
Add some spice to your holiday with this tomatillo salsa. Salsa certainly doesn't have to be red, and thanks to tomatillos and avocados, you can bring a savory dip to the party while still sticking with the theme. Something tells me that this recipe will be making its way out at many future Taco Tuesdays.
Matcha Coconut Macaroons
These macaroons are little balls of joy. Finishing off the list with a final recipe with matcha because it's an easy way to add some St. Patrick's Day flair to many normal recipes, without any kind of artificial color. Pass these off to friends so they can enjoy the chewy, gooey goodness.
From salsa to hot chocolate, there are so many green recipes that meet all the requirements for having a banging St. Patty's Day. Eat your heart out and party it up, but not to the point where you feel it the next morning. Advil (unfortunately) doesn't come in green.