Serve "Green" this St. Patricks Day - Fun Ideas from Phil Lempert!

Green Over Tips from Phil Lempert the Supermarket Guru & ConAgra Foods

YOUR GREEN-OVER TOOL – Head to your local supermarket and buy a one ounce package of liquid green food coloring. McCormick has a special “Green” one-ounce package that is recommended. Remember – a little coloring goes a long way so just using one or two drops may be enough for each of the “green recipe ideas” that follow. Also, lighter foods (like bread, milk, popcorn and pasta) the better and brighter the color green becomes.

BREAKFAST

·         Lucky Leprechaun Cereal:  Serve up a portion of Lucky Charms cereal and add a couple drops of green food coloring to the milk to get those Leprechauns started (both the milk in the glass and in cereal)!

·         Green Morning:  For the adults in the family, add 2 or 3 drops of coloring to Egg Beaters to whip up a green omelet, and load the insides with green peppers, broccoli and scallions. If you are really adventurous, bake your own green bread by just dropping two drops in the bread mix. Also, try adding a couple drops to whipped cream cheese – stir thoroughly and serve on toast or a bagel.

·         Green No No’s:  Forget about adding the green milk to your coffee; this will just result in a cup that looks like a cross between mold and moss. - hahaha...funny, thanks for telling me Phil. I would have tried this.

LUNCH

·         Pack It Up Green:  Load up your children’s lunch boxes with lots of green – everything from celery sticks, green juice (try coloring a light colored apple juice), and green cheese (a light colored cheese is recommended here as well).

·         Shamrock that Sandwich:  Put a slice of Swiss, mozzarella, white colored cheddar or Monterey jack on top of ham or other sandwich meats. If you prefer vegetarian, try Light Life Smart Deli Turkey, Bologna or Ham varieties. Before you close up the sandwich, take a clean new paint brush and add a few drops of food coloring in a saucer. Paint a shamrock, smiley face, or even your child’s name on the top of the cheese. Let it dry, then leave the top slice of the bread off and saran wrap the sandwich for a surprise when they open their lunch box!

·         Patrick’s Pudding:  For a fun and colorful afterschool snack drizzle 1 or 2 drops of green food coloring over Snack Packs Vanilla pudding. For those with an extra sweet tooth, add a touch of Reddi Whip with a handful of green sprinkles.

DINNER

·         Pasta Verde:  It’s all about the pasta! After you cook your spaghetti, rigatoni or even ravioli, rinse the cooked pasta and then BEFORE you add any oil or other sauce, add 3 or 4 drops of food coloring to the pot and mix in with the pasta. For the best visual, put the sauce (of course pesto will be the truest to the celebration) on the plate first, and lay the green pasta on top. Add some green veggies for extra flavor.

·         Shamrock Your Sides/A Green Alternative:  If pasta isn’t your thing, how’s chicken or fish? Drizzle 1 drop over your meal. For sides, add 1 or 2 drops of food coloring to mashed potatoes, white rice or a light colored sauce.

 

About Phil Lempert:

Phil Lempert is a consumer trend-watcher and food analyst who regularly appears on: NBC’s The Today Show, ABC’s The View, The Oprah Winfrey Show, 20/20, CNN, CNBC, Discovery Health and MSNBC. 

Head over to The Supermarket Guru for more information on Smart Grocery Shopping.

Disclosure: Reprinted with permission by Phil Lempert and ConAgra Foods