Lauren Sakiyama
When it comes to St. Patrick’s Day, it’s tempting to overdo it. Still, no one wants green spaghetti, emerald egg scrambles, or lime-colored pizza crust. If you must dye something green to celebrate this year, we have a few alternatives.
If you want to surprise your friends and family with something that, perhaps, they haven’t seen dyed green before, give some of these a try!
O’Patty Parfaits
While some believe pudding belongs strictly in nursing homes and preschools, if you call it a parfait, it’s suddenly chic! This vanilla and pistachio parfait, for example, will satisfy young, old, and everyone in between. Plus, it manages to make green look good—a must on St. Patrick’s Day.
Get the Recipe: Somewhat Simple
Luck o’ The Oatmeal
It might sound strange, but green oatmeal actually looks delicious. It’s the perfect, super-healthy St. Patrick’s Day breakfast! You’ll be glad you indulged in this before you indulge in all that green beer. You don’t even have to use artificial dye if you don’t want to—puréed spinach works just as well.
Get the Recipe: Running to the Kitchen
Pot o’ Emerald Popcorn
If you’re going to dye anything an artificial hue this year, popcorn might be the best option. After all, it’s already tied into our collective consciousness as the perfect snack for parties, holidays, and events. Why shouldn’t it show up in a technicolor coating?
Get the Recipe: Skip to My Lou
Mint Icing on Everything
The lovely thing about icing is that it looks good in any color! One of the great joys of St. Patrick’s Day baking is the bright, shocking shades of green you can slather on cookies, cakes, and other baked goods! If you’re fully committed to this holiday, use this mint buttercream to cover all your baked goodies.
Get the Recipe: Two Sisters
Mini Cheesecake Morsels
Dying icing is one thing, but dying a whole cake is quite another. When you dye traditional cakes green, they end up looking strange. Their golden hues just don’t play well with artificial emerald. Cheesecake, though, with its smooth, white filling, is the perfect canvas for green dye. Of course, you don’t have to go artificial—this recipe uses matcha powder for naturally green mini cheesecakes.
Get the Recipe: Jo Cooks
No one likes green eggs and ham, Sam or not. Some foods (mac and cheese?) just look repulsive dyed green.
But others look downright tasty! Stick to these, and your St. Patrick’s Day fare will be right on point rather than obscenely overstated. They’ll taste great, too!
