Five Healthy Green Recipes to Make for St. Patrick's Day

We all know that the unofficial rule of St. Patrick's Day is to wear green, lest you get pinched by a mischievous leprechaun. But it's also a great excuse to go green in your diet, too. Green fruits and vegetables like avocados, spinach, and broccoli consistently make the top ten lists of the healthiest foods you can eat for their high antioxidant and vitamin profiles, to name just a couple of their nutritional benefits.

Mashed-Avocado and Egg Toast

Creamy avocado makes the perfect complement to the egg in this dish. Our Mashed-Avocado and Egg Toast, pictured above, is a great, healthy option for breakfast—or a quick lunch—on St. Patrick's Day. It's made with just five ingredients, including whole-grain bread for the toast and minced chives as a topping.

Potato, Broccoli, and Cheddar Soup

A bowl of our Potato, Broccoli, and Cheddar Soup is a nice way to warm up if the holiday falls on a chilly day. Shallots, garlic, broccoli, and potatoes all simmer together and are topped with cheese and roasted broccoli florets for a finishing touch. Have toast on hand, like a rustic Italian bread, to serve with—and dip in—this delightful dish.

Sauteed Asparagus with Garlic and Thyme

There's nothing quite like freshly cooked vegetables to pair with Shepherd's Pie or Guinness and Beef Pie, on St. Patrick's Day. For Sautéed Asparagus with Garlic and Thyme, asparagus is sautéed in a skillet, then finished with a quick steam in the same pan until the stalks are crisp-tender.

Creamy Broccoli-Spinach Dip

If you're hosting this holiday, be sure to serve this Creamy Broccoli-Spinach Dip. It's a healthy take on hot spinach dip that's served at room temperature—and can be made ahead. Whole-milk ricotta provides richness and the grated lemon zest adds just the right amount of tang.

Green Goddess Dip

An easy appetizer like this Green Goddess Dip is a great way to give a subtle wink to the Irish holiday. Pair it with crunchy green vegetables like celery and cucumber for dipping—and try your luck at being able to share it with others.