9 Random Green Things to Eat / Drink Today

1) Green eggs and ham

Flickr: Graham Ballantyne

Green eggs and hamrocks

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We would eat them on Saint Patty’s Day.
We could eat them everyday.
Cook them with some spinach greens.
Mix them with some lima beans.

So maybe not that last line, but we love the Dr. Seuss classic as well as the many inventive versions creative chefs and home cooks have concocted over the years. Google the term and find a recipe that suits your tastes.

2) Anything with Midori

Flickr: Vidiot

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This sweet, bright spirit is as unmistakably green as the infamous gloppy ghoul known as Slimer, but without the mucus. With a melon flavor, it complements any cocktail from a traditional martini made with gin or vodka, to a frozen margarita. Add Midori to a Long Island Iced Tea and substitute soda for the cola, and you have yourself a Los Angeles Iced Tea. A Four Leaf Clover would also be an apt moniker for this drink with gin, vodka, rum and Midori (if you prefer to leave out the tequila), but you could only get away with it today.

3) Green Papaya Salad

Flickr: Thai Jasmine

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A staple in Thai cuisine, this tangy, spicy slaw is made from unripe, shredded papayas that have a firm texture. The lime juice, fish sauce, chili peppers and dried shrimp give the oomph to this salad, which is fantastic when eaten with sticky Thai rice. The rice provides a buffer to the heat of the chili peppers and acts as a sponge to soak up the Zen-like balanced dressing of sweet, sour, salty and spicy.

4) Pesto

Flickr: elena’s pantry

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The term, which comes from the Italian word meaning “to crush,” refers to anything green (usually basil) combined with pine nuts, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and parmesan. It would be great on those eggs and ham in #1, aiding in their transformation to become the vibrantly imagined dish of Dr. Seuss.

5) Wheatgrass Juice

Flickr: thebittenword.com

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This mysterious, verdant and bitter juice hyped in health stores and smoothie bars was first discovered in the 1930’s. An agricultural chemist fed it to dying hens and they recovered, producing more eggs than their “healthy” counterparts. Seeing the powerful effects, Charles F. Schnabel (the chemist), studied the wheatgrass further and popularized the grass that is now taken as a supplement by humans and animals. We’re not sure what happens when you mix it with Irish whiskey, but perhaps your hangover would be a little less severe?

6) Spinach Salad

Flickr: wickenden

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The simple formula of a warm bacon dressing tossed with fresh spinach leaves and topped with crunchy pecans never fails. Sprinkle on some goat cheese, and Saint Patrick may perform a miracle in honor of the extreme deliciousness you’ve created.

7) Margarita

Flickr: House of Sims

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It’s no green beer, and thank heavens for that. A staple in the world of Tex-Mex, you can never have enough excuses to sip on a limey, tequila cocktail, even if it’s an Irish holiday. If you drink enough, you’ll be able to ward off that pesky scurvy.

8) Avocado Milkshake

Flickr: clipvain

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Avocados; they’re not just for guacamole anymore. A Filipino drink that’s rich and green, it is easy to make and surprisingly delicious.

Here’s the recipe (from AllRecipes.com):

1 avocado – peeled, pitted, and cubed
5 cubes ice
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 1/3 cups milk
1 teaspoon fresh lemon or lime juice
1 scoop vanilla ice cream

9) Chimichurri

Flickr: food stories

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A traditional marinade and sauce for the famous Argentinean beef, chimichurri sauce consists of oil, parsley, lots of garlic, red pepper flakes and vinegar. It is basted on the meat as it roasts over an open flame or serves as a marinade. Chimichurri is equally delicious on grilled chicken, lamb and vegetables.