Our Favorite Green Recipes
When all else fails, the easiest way to get into the St. Patrick's Day mood is to make something green. From minty cupcakes to enchiladas verdes to chimichurri, there's plenty of delicious ways to liven up a meal with a pop of bright green color.
Great Green Fruit Salad
Great Green Fruit Salad Recipe
All green everything-that's the theme of this vibrant, eye-catching fruit salad. Honeydew melon, Granny Smith apples, Bartlett pears, green grapes, and avocado are unified with a delicious honey-Dijon dressing to create what may very well be our favorite fruit salad of all time. A perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tangy, this monochrome masterpiece is sure to become the talk of your table and likely a new go-to for any level of entertaining. Though we find it to be a delicious addition to such a refreshing, dynamic dish, feel free to leave out the jalapeño if you want to skip the touch of heat.
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Green Smoothie Muffins
A whole package of spinach gives these banana muffins their green hue.
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Matcha-Glazed Donuts
These easy baked donuts benefit from matcha in the batter and in the glaze, where it lends beautiful color. If you're unfamiliar with matcha, it's high-quality green tea that's ground into a fine powder. Matcha has a powerfully earthy, bitter flavor, so a little goes a long way. For the most vibrant color, seek out a reputable brand (some lower-quality brands have a dull, olive-green color). We recommend Maeda-en Matcha Green Tea Powder, culinary quality; Aiya Matcha, ceremonial grade; or Eden Matcha. We love the color and flavor of the coconut and goji berry garnishes; if you can't find goji berries, you can use dried cranberries instead.
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Dandelion Greens Pesto
Drizzle this edgy, bitter pesto over summer tomatoes, whole grains, or scrambled eggs. For a milder version, use more basil or spinach.
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Pan Seared Cod with Green Tahini Sauce
Pan Seared Cod with Green Tahini Sauce Recipe
Tahini is a paste made of ground sesame seeds and it's the ingredient that gives hummus its distinct toasty flavor. Tahini is an incredibly versatile ingredient lends a rich nuttiness wherever it goes-which is why we love it as the base for this vibrant, herb-based sauce. Balanced with lemon juice and bright herbaceous flavors, tahini shines in this addictive, bright-green condiment you'll find yourself coming back to again and again (with a spoon in hand). The Green Tahini Sauce pairs exceptionally well with fish, and we especially love it with flakey pan-seared cod. While not technically "necessary" basting the fish with butter as it finishes cooking adds another layer of subtle richness. Plated with a generous dollop of the green sauce, this simple pan-cooked cod finds its perfect match in the sauce's velvety texture and dynamic flavor profile. As impressive as it tastes, the Green Tahini Sauce could not be easier to whip up, simply toss all of your ingredients into a blender and process until smooth. The cumin adds a touch of smokiness; but if you aren't a fan of the spice, feel to omit it. You can thin the sauce out to your desired consistency by adding water to the blender, a little at a time. Of course, you may not want to thin it out too much as the leftover green tahini sauce can also be used as a dip for your favorite vegetables and crackers, perfect for serving on a crudite platter or snack dinner tray. You can also use the sauce as a spread for sandwiches and toast. Store this green goodness in you refrigerator for up to 1 week.
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Sparkling Matcha Mint Cocktail
Sparkling Matcha Mint Cocktail Recipe
Floral honey, fresh herbs, and verdant green-tea powder make for an effervescent springtime sipper.
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Tallarines Verdes
Incredibly bright and fresh, Tallarines Verdes translates to "green noodles," and is a similar dish to pasta with pesto sauce. However, what sets this traditional Peruvian dish apart is one key ingredient: evaporated milk. This makes the pureed spinach-basil sauce more creamy (and less oily) than what many would expect from pesto, and lends a very subtle sweetness to the dish. In other words… it's incredibly delicious. Sautéing the red onion first softens its flavors so that it doesn't overpower the sauce with harsh onion notes. And we blanch the spinach and basil in order to preserve the leaves' color, resulting in a vibrant, bright green sauce. Feel free to use linguine or bucatini noodles instead of spaghetti, if you prefer.
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Green Goddess Dressing
Green Goddess Dressing RecipeThe smooth texture of the Green Goddess becomes romaine-friendly and creamy to perfection with more parsley and fresh lemon. Because these fresh herbs are readily available, make this tangy, peppery dip year-round.
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Green Goddess Pasta Salad
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Green Tomato Gazpacho
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Avocado Pea Soup with Herb Oil
Avocado Pea Soup with Herb Oil Recipe
Let servings of Avocado Pea Soup with Herb Oil aid in optimizing your diet. Most green fruits and vegetables, such as avocado and peas, are loaded with lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids that protect against eye disease and skin cancer. Prep: 20 minutes; Cook: 20 minutes.
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Power Gulp
This green goodie sneaks in a dose of iron (you need extra during your period and pregnancy), key for healthy blood cell and muscle function. It also delivers more than your daily rec of vitamin K-another must for blood and bone health.
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Matcha Baked Doughnuts
These bright green baked goods will give you all the delight of a doughnut without any of the regret afterwards. Baking makes these vegan doughnuts delicate and soft without excess oil and the matcha has a range of health benefits.
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Matcha Profiteroles
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20-Minute Baked Matcha Doughnuts
20-Minute Baked Matcha Doughnuts Recipe
Invest in a doughnut pan and you can whip up a batch of these earthy baked goods in just 20 minutes. The forever-trendy Japanese green tea powder matcha is packed with antioxidants, and studies show it can reduce stress, boost metabolism, lower cholesterol, and even lower the risk of cancer. Its bright, emerald color shines in these soft, cakey donuts, which are coated in a simple, sweet, powdered-sugar glaze. With a quick clean-up and no oil splattering all over your kitchen, you won't miss the deep-fried version.
Homer Simpson would approve.
Baked Matcha Doughnuts
Ingredients
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Avocado Matcha Banana Bread
Avocado Matcha Banana Bread Recipe
There's absolutely nothing wrong with banana bread. It's a breakfast classic, like a plain bagel or a glazed doughnut. However, there are times when a classic just doesn't thrill. That's when we pull out the green stuff. Avocado and matcha green tea powder may not be part of your regular baking routine, but not only do they dye banana bread a delightful deep green, they add earthy flavors that tone down the banana-ness of the loaf.
Pureed avocado adds moisture to make the quick bread even more tender, plus a mild vegetal note you just can't find in plain ol' sweet banana bread. Then, a hit of matcha ups the complex flavors where avocado drops off, and doubles up on the vibrant color. Slice into the bread while it's still warm (or pop it in the toaster) and smear it with a thick swipe of cream cheese or Greek yogurt.
Avocado Matcha Banana Bread
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Matcha Whoopie Pies
"I grew up inhaling whoopie pies, bless my mother's soul," says Bay Area cookbook author Eric Gower, the creator of these fantastic, tender little cakes. "While I would like to offer her recipe, I'm afraid that just reading the quantities of trans fats (Crisco) called for might incite immediate cardiac arrest! This relatively healthier version tastes even better."
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Supercharged Kale-Avocado Smoothie
Supercharged Kale-Avocado Smoothie Recipe
This hydrating smoothie is jam-packed with nutrients, delivering one-third your daily goal of vitamin A and 100% of vitamin K-two important nutrients many of us don't get enough of. Matcha green tea powder delivers a jolt of caffeine without the jittery side effects, helping you power through your holiday to-do list with sustained energy and alertness.
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Classic Salsa Verde
Tomatillos and fresh chiles give this salsa a bright, "green" flavor, and toasting the ingredients contributes a smoky element (plus it loosens the chiles' skins). Mexican cooks traditionally use a griddle or comal to toast salsa ingredients, but a broiler chars the chiles more evenly.
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Italian Salsa Verde
This recipe goes with: Flounder Piccata with Italian Salsa Verde
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Avocado Salsa Verde
Made with fresh tomatillos, serrano pepper, cilantro, and avocado, Avocado Salsa Verde will be a hands-down favorite with party-goers. Serve Avocado Salsa Verde with your favorite chips or with our Beef Empanadas.
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Roasted Chili Verde Chicken Enchiladas
Roasted Chili Verde Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
Skip red enchilada sauce in favor of homemade chili verde in this Mexican classic. The heat level of poblanos can range from mild to spicy. Removing the seeds lessens the kick.
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Parsley-Mint Salsa Verde
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Green Tomato Salsa
Serve Green Tomato Salsa as an appetizer with chips or a topping on Green Tomato Chile Verde.
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Herb-and-Scallion Salsa Verde
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Chicken Verde Enchiladas
Chicken Verde Enchiladas Recipe
How do you shred chicken superfast? Insert two forks into the meat while it's still warm. Then pull apart to shred.
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Cilantro-Caper Sauce
Herby, garlicky, and briny, this easy food processor sauce is a loose combination of classic Italian salsa verde and Argentinian chimichurri. Use it to brighten up seared pork chops, grilled steak, or grilled chicken skewers.