7 Ways to Eat Green on St. Paddy's Day — Without Food Coloring

Try these dishes today if you're not keen on food coloring.
Ina Garten's Parmesan Roasted Broccoli, as seen on Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics.

Ina Garten's Parmesan Roasted Broccoli, as seen on Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics.

Photo by: Kate Mathis

Kate Mathis

We're 100% on-board with indulging in a little green food coloring on St. Patrick's Day (St. Paddy's cupcakes and  shakes just wouldn't be the same without it). But don't forget that some of your favorite (and nutritious) foods are already green. So if a last-minute hunt for green food dye can't happen, find the holiday shade in ingredients you might already have in your kitchen. Here are a few delicious recipe ideas.

With over 300 five-star reviews, Ina Garten's easy broccoli side (amped up with lemon zest, pine nuts and Parm) is a perennial hit — making it much more celebratory than you might assume a veggie can be.

Food Network Kitchen’s  Year of Pancakes, March, Green Herb Pancakes with Ricotta and Red Chile Oil

Food Network Kitchen’s Year of Pancakes, March, Green Herb Pancakes with Ricotta and Red Chile Oil

Photo by: Kate Mathis ©2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Kate Mathis, 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Cilantro, parsley and scallions give a pancake breakfast a savory twist, and add just enough green to get in the spirit of the day.

NO CHURN MATCHA ICE CREAM,

NO CHURN MATCHA ICE CREAM,

Photo by: Matt Armendariz

Matt Armendariz

One of this decade's trendiest ingredients is also a bright, beautiful green, so we think it deserves a spot in your St. Patrick's Day rotation indefinitely. If the weather feels too chilly for ice cream, try matcha scones or matcha blondies.

Deviled-egg season can come a little early if you whip avocado into the egg mixture and call 'em "lucky devils." (Ha!)

Food Network Kitchen
Super Green Smoothie
Healthy Eats
Food Network

Food Network Kitchen Super Green Smoothie Healthy Eats Food Network

Photo by: Stephen Johnson ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Stephen Johnson, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

You knew we'd sneak kale into this list somewhere. Down this nutrient-packed smoothie (which, for the record, also has pineapple and grapes) in the morning, and perhaps fend off  the ill effects of sipping a couple green beers in the evening.

Photo by: Armando Rafael

Armando Rafael

Avocado toast is still a favorite of many, and sprouts up the green factor even more for St. Patrick's Day. But have you heard? Bread is out, and sweet potato toast is in. Our version gets roasted in the oven so it cooks evenly and quickly — but you can make a batch ahead of time and reheat them in your toaster. Genius!

FN.com Off the Menu, St. Patrick's and Bacon/ CC Healthy

FN.com Off the Menu, St. Patrick's and Bacon/ CC Healthy

Photo by: Kate Mathis ©(C) 2013 Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Kate Mathis, (C) 2013 Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Ina's perfectly springy pasta calls for frozen peas and frozen spinach, so you can have a bright, veggie-bursting dinner even if the farmer's market hasn't opened for the season yet.

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