Irish stew and corned beef & cabbage are perfect choices when it comes to presenting a tasty St. Patrick’s Day meal but you can go with lighter fare, or food selections that may be more suitable to little leprechauns.  Anything green will do the trick!  Check out these colorful alternatives that will liven up your castle table.  If you care to indulge in a bit of the Irish libations we’ve provided our Trash Lassie favorites.  These are sure to tickle the tummy and make your Irish eyes smile.

 

 

Green food does not always mean vegetables!  Instead go for fun green yummies like wraps or burritos using green tortillas, green pizza, (simply color Alfredo sauce green), green pasta using spinach pasta and pesto or my favorite for kids…green Kraft Macaroni & Cheese!  Just add a bit of green food coloring to the boiling water and it will turn the macaroni a beautiful Kelly!

 

All you need to make your brewsky green is one drop of green food coloring!  For best results simply drop the food coloring into the glass before pouring.  Though darker beers will not have that emerald shimmer it will create nice green foam atop the ale. 

 

 

 This savory recipe from BlogChef.net has the perfect flavor to transport you to straight to the Emerald Isle.  The stout beer gives this stew the perfect Irish punch.  Make a giant pot and before you thicken freeze the extra in single serving or family size air tight containers, then when you re-heat, thicken with the corn starch just before serving… UM UM!

YOU WILL NEED:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons flour
1lb beef stew meat or diced beef
1 small onion (chopped)
2 large potatoes (peeled and diced)
4 carrots (peeled and sliced)
2 cups fresh sliced mushrooms
6 garlic cloves (minced)
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2 cups beef broth
1 (12 ounce) bottle Irish stout beer
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon water
¼ cup fresh parsley (minced)

 

Step 1: In large pot heat oil. Coat beef cubes with flour and fry in oil until browned on all sides. Remove meat from the pot and set aside. Add mushrooms and onions to the pan. Cook onions until tender.
Step 2: Add the beef back to the pot. Stir in tomato paste, garlic, beef broth and beer. Add potatoes and carrots. Cover and simmer on low for 1 hour.
Step 3: Mix together 1 table spoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. Pour into the stew and stir. Simmer until the sauce has thickened. Sprinkle with fresh parsley.
(Makes 6 Servings)

 

There are many choices for non-alcoholic green beverages, lime Kool-Aid, green sports drinks, or a pitcher of tart and tangy limeade make excellent St Patrick’s Day refreshments.  For a more healthful choice try green tea.  Prepared fresh or pre-bottled it has a natural light green hue!  Add some sprigs of mint for a boost of color and flavor, or give it a citrus kick with a wedge of orange, lemon or lime.

 

 

 

Make limeade VERY tart, and then balance the acidity by rimming the edge of your serving glasses with sugar.  This creates a super charged sweet & sour taste sensation!

 

 

 

It’s surprising how many desserts are naturally green…key lime pie, mint chip ice cream, pistachio pudding, green tea ice cream and you can never go wrong with clover cookies, but my favorite for kids of all ages is double layer Limey Leprechaun Jell-O.  It’s fast and inexpensive to make and perfect for the most finicky little Irishman.

 

YOU WILL NEED:

2 large packages (6 oz each) green Jell-O
1 packet of unflavored gelatin
4 cups boiling water

(Mix together to dissolve)

Add:
1 quart vanilla ice cream and stir till melted
Pour into 9 x 13 glass dish
Refrigerate overnight cut and serve. The ice cream will float to the top!