Craving of The Green

 Everything is green thanks today being Saint Patrick's Day. Yet there are many who are craving  green - fresh Spring veggies for one. There's something about the the coming of a warmer season that makes home chefs want green and healthy in their recipes.

I have been feeling this way for a couple of weeks. i have been craving made from scratch straticella soup, made with fresh baby spinach along with a homemade celery soup. I even bought a bag of  avocadoes .

I am thinking of an old fashioned avocado salad, reminiscent of those classic Fifties dishes,it's an easy make , peeling them and then cubing. The viniagrette is simple.It's myNonna's lemon viniagrette. Instead of using vinegar which can be heavy I sub in two teaspoons  of lemon juice.It imparts a very light and fresh flavor .It reminds me of spring and balmy days . This is a perfect  side with anything, from grilled salmon to Cornish hens. There's a simplicity to it, unlike heavier winter dishes.

There are other greens that I've been craving. Kale is one and it's so versatile. I can easily make it into a tasty salad, maybe with orange or tangerine wedges and almonds. It can also be added to a colcannon along with spinach and scallions too. I'm getting tired of snacking on popcorn and air fried kale chips would fit the bill. As the season progresses I may do some backyard foraging and pick up some dandelion greens. They're an excellent source of Vitamins A, C, E and K, along with being chock full of such minerals  like iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium.  I could eat them but they're slightly bitter in taste. Dandelion greens can be sauteed like broccoli rape with in oil with garlic. They also work with eggs too and on top of pizza. They just have to be rinsed thoroughly in cold water before eating or cooking. I may try experimenting with bok choy and mustard greens too. I can see a mustard green recipe that includes air fried potatoes and Morningstar Farms soy bacon.

Yes, it's a day for the wearing of the green but its also a time to be craving green. Think spring veggies and tasty recipes. They're a bright welcoming of  the season to come.