Go green this St. Paddy's Day

It's more important than ever to go green in the kitchen. Why? Because it's St. Patrick's Day, of course. This time of year at justapinch.com we love to embrace new and traditional Irish recipes alike, but darn it if all of those dishes don't taste a wee bit better when they're served up green.

Kick off your dream green meal with a big bowl of Laura Davis's Jalapeno Dip. While this recipe's roots may lay a little further south than the Emerald Isle, it serves up a freshness of flavor that sets the perfect tone to any party.

Oh, and it's green.Peppered with bright scallions, vibrant fresh parsley and of course jalapenos, this zingy appetizer is the ideal start to any festive meal.

For our St. Patrick's Day salad course, we're not only serving a green salad, we're serving up Susan Feliciano's Green Green Salad.

"I [originally] developed this salad for a St. Patrick's Day party," said Feliciano, who has won an impressive four blue ribbons for her recipe creations. "We all brought green foods. This one is so good and definitely healthy."

Most salads have the benefit of being green, but this one takes it to the max. While appearing simple at first glance, this salad absolutely perfects the art of simplicity. Felicano's combination of broccoli, cucumber, zucchini and peppers with crispy bacon creates an unlikely flavor powerhouse that's as pretty as it is delicious.
Just A Pinch member Andie Worth comments that she adds yet another shot of green by serving the salad with her favorite Green Goddess dressing. I love it.

Now while I do typically prefer my meat sans green, I absolutely love when it's served alongside a heaping helping of green spinach mashed potatoes, and what better dish to plate up than Malinda Coletta's Guinness Beef Stew?
"My husband who is a professional chef once cooked at an Irish pub," Coletta said. "And this was his recipe for Guinness Beef stew."

In fact, all that professionalism is evident with every bite. Carrots, beef, fresh thyme and beautiful pearl onions bathe together in a wonderful, rich blending of stout beer, black pepper and honey. This recipe is so utterly savory and delicious that everyone in the Crew always goes back for seconds and thirds.
You've got to go Irish when it comes to dessert, too. Get ready to get lucky when you whip up a batch of Go Irish Brownies. Spurred by a love for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, home cook Kathie Carr created this recipe that has fast become a family favorite and a good luck charm.
"Could anything be better than really fudgy brownies with an Irish twist?" said Carr, who provides that recipe twist with the addition of Irish Cream Liqueur and bold green icing. "A Notre Dame Women's basketball viewing party inspired this recipe [but they're] good for St. Patrick's Day or anytime."
I can't resist serving these chocolaty dreams with a scoop or two of mint ice cream as well. After all, if you're going to go green, go all the way.
Here's hoping the luck of the Irish smiles upon you this St. Patrick's Day and for many meals to come.
© 2011 Just A Pinch Recipe Club. Used by Permission.