It’s Not That Easy Being Green...or is it? 20+ Green Food Recipes
At the Dr. Yum Project, we LOVE the color green because so many of our favorite fruits and vegetables are beautiful and various shades of green. But adults and kids may have a hesitation when it comes to green foods. One thing we DO know is that building familiarity, cooking, and practicing can turn any yuck into a yum!
By Wendy Cannon, Cooking Program and Outreach Specialist, Preschool Curriculum Liaison
A timeless tune, sung by Kermit the Frog, laments the ordinariness of green, but finally ends with:
But green’s the color of spring
And green can be cool and friendly like
And green can be big like a mountain
Or important like a river or tall like a tree
At the Dr. Yum Project, we LOVE the color green because so many of our favorite fruits and vegetables are beautiful and various shades of green. But we often hear, from kids and adults alike, a hesitation when it comes to green foods. One thing we DO know is that building familiarity with a variety of foods, cooking together, and practicing different preparations can turn any yuck into a yum!
With the arrival of March and spring, it is the perfect time to have a Green Food Celebration! Here are a few suggestions for adding a bit o’ green to your menus this month.
So maybe it IS easy being green!
Tangy Parsley Sauce
Sauces offer a nice way to add a pop of green to any meal. Fresh herbs are a favorite here at the Dr. Yum Project, and this recipe is a great way to add flavor with fresh parsley! It can be used to marinate cannellini beans, as a pasta salad dressing, or to top a Yum Bowl. Try it with other tender fresh herbs too, like basil or cilantro.
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Garlic Ginger Bok Choy
A side dish that cooks up quickly, this bok choy recipe only uses a few pantry items to pack in maximal flavor. Try it with large or small bok choy varieties.
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Kale and Apple Slaw
Practicing kale? Try it raw in our Kale and Apple Slaw! This side dish is a great way to try kale along with some familiar flavors and a tangy dressing.
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Avocado Dressing
This recipe gets buzzed up quickly in a blender or food processor. A few pantry items combine with avocado, cilantro, and lime to make a creamy dressing. We love it on a salad or Yum Bowl!
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Cheesy Green Eggs
Give your morning eggs a boost with this green version that incorporates fresh spinach. Baby spinach is a great green to add to lots of savory foods because it wilts so easily. You can often get it to blend into the background, so it won't overpower a dish.
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Roasted Broccoli with Lemon and Parmesan
Roasting is one of the easiest ways to cook most vegetables. With this recipe you can prepare a lot of broccoli at once with minimal effort and tasty result. Try it when you need to feed a large group or want to have leftovers. It can easily be doubled for even more servings.
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1, 2, 3 Pea Salad
This recipe is like springtime in a bowl featuring three kinds of peas with a refreshing lemon dressing. It's best served fresh, so we recommend dressing it imediately before serving.
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Green Hummus
This version of the versatile spread gets its green color from spinach! Use it on sandwiches and wraps, as a dip, or in a Yum Bowl.
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Sesame Ginger Green Beans
Blanching leaves these green beans with a bright green color and satisfying crunch. Combined with a simple sauce, they make a tasty side dish.
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Shakshuka
Looking to add some green in a more subtle way? Shakshuka is a Middle Eastern tomato stew with eggs. Here at the Dr. Yum Project, we believe that eggs are a great vehicle for vegetables so we added spinach to a basic shakshuka recipe. Any greens like kale, tatsoi, or swiss chard would be delicious too!
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Kale and Brussel Sprouts Saute
Kale and Brussel sprouts combine their green powers in this simple saute.
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Tangy Broccoli Salad
This fan favorite is a great way to experience broccoli in a raw application. We've heard from many families that this a is a go-to recipe for packing in lunch boxes.
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White Chicken Chili with Kale
Soups and stews are a great way to incorporate leafy greens. This cozy soup that features kale is one of our favorites!
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Green Dragon Smoothie
A Dr. Yum Project classic, this recipe is loved by everyone who tries it. It has a sweet and sour flavor and bright green color. Freeze any leftovers in molds to make yummy frozen pops.
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Barbecue Kale Chips
Making kale chips is a fun way to experience this green food! Try this version that uses a combo of spices to give the crispy kale a barbecue flavor.
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Basil Pear Salad
This fragrant salad is quick and easy to make! We love any chance to put fresh herbs in the spotlight, and the basil shines in this dish.
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Hannah's Roasted Asparagus
Asparagus has a short season, so make the most of it when it's available. Roasting up a big sheet pan is a simple way to enjoy this tasty green veggie.
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Stir-Fried Pork with Shiitake Mushrooms and Snow Peas
For an entrée that has a splash of green, try this stir-fry. The delicious combination of flavors and textures is sure to be a winner!
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Crustless Quiche
Quiche is great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! This crustless version is quick to make and gluten-free. Asparagus adds flecks of green to each slice.
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Seared Baby Bok Choy
Cutting baby bok choy in half is easy, but also looks stunning! This yummy side dish comes together very quickly and makes a beautiful accompaniment to the rest of your meal. Pair it with the grilled meat or fish of your choice and enjoy!
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Groovy Peach Pear Smoothie
This smoothie gets its green color from a combination of avocado and spinach. It's a thicker smoothie, so it's a great way to explore different textures and consistencies.
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