It’s almost that time of year again! When the entire world is Irish for a day, when drinking at 11 am becomes acceptable and green becomes the new black (or whatever colour is in style). St. Paddy’s Day!!
I was never a huge fan of the holiday until living in Ireland for a while. Now this day fills me with nostalgia for the beautiful country, amazing people and life-changing experiences I had while I was there. I can’t help but celebrate, even if all that means is eating some green food.
This is also a nutritionist’s dream holiday! One day of the year when everyone endeavours to get more green on their plate- what an amazing opportunity to get people to choose green whole foods like spinach, kale, avocados and spirulina! I know many people often end up simply adding green food dye to their dishes, but let’s kick things up a notch this year shall we? Let’s infuse real nutrition AND a fun green colour to our food!
I have a couple green dishes planned, but I’ll kick-off with this super green dip that also doubles as a delicious pasta sauce or sandwich/wrap filling.
I used avocado and parsley to help give it a greenish tinge, but also upped the ante with the addition of a greens powder. The greens powder is totally optional though and you will still have a green dip without it!
This dip has tons of flavour from the lemon, parsley and dill and is packed with fiber and healthy fats from the chickpeas and avocado. It’s creamy and delicious and would be a welcome addition to any packed lunch or even as a snack on a St. Paddy’s Day party table. I mean, you need some nutrition and fuel to keep that all day drinking going right?
And while we’re on the subject of drinking, make sure to check out the site barnivore.com to help you source vegan, cruelty-free brews, wines and cocktails to help make your St. Patrick’s day ever more wonderful! There are also apps for your pub-crawling convenience!
St. Paddy’s Day Green Monster Dip (Vegan, Gluten-free, Sugar-free)
Ingredients (~ 2 cups)
- 1 avocado, pitted and peeled
- 1 1/2-2 cups chickpeas
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp olive oil (or hemp oil for an even greener dip!)
- juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1-2 tsp dill (I love dill so I added 2)
- 1 scoop greens powder, optional (I used Oriya Organics)
- sea salt and pepper to taste
- water if needed for blending
Instructions
Process all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste. Feel free to add a little water to help it get smooth if needed.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
In other news, I have become OBSESSED with Instagram lately! It's such a fun way to share beautiful images, inspiration and delicious eats with friends and followers! I have had it for ages, but only recently really started using it.
one of my favourite pics I've instragrammed lately! chickpea flour pancakes with pineapple sauce. YUM!
I'd love it if you'd all follow me @gabbyouimet and if you have an account I'd love to follow you back! Leave me a comment with your username and I will!
Does anyone else get as excited for St. Patrick’s Day as I do?
Does anyone else get as much amusement from apps and social media sites becoming verbs as I do? Instagrammed, facebooked, tweeted, pinned…our own modern language ;)
Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!
WOW Gaby, these recipes are just awesome. Great to be back here having a look around, I will be trying this green treat soon. Happy days, lee
Thanks Lee, I’ve missed you!
Chickpeas and avocado and greens? That’s my kind of dip! Yum!
Packs in all the best things :)
Yum! This is getting pinned, instagrammed, and facebooked. ;)
You’re the best! So glad you like it!
Definitely just had to pin this. I love anything St. Patty’s related. I can’t wait to try this!
Thanks Alaine!
What a gorgeous and nutritious dip! I agree that St. Paddy’s Day is a nutritionists dream :) I remember last year I dedicated the day to eating only green meals and it ended up being a yummy, nutritious day! That dip looks like a perfect snack :)
I’m a huge fan of Instagram too and your pancakes look DELICIOUS!! Yum!
I keep forgetting that you lived in Ireland. I am so in love with Ireland and I only spent a few days there. By far the friendliest people on earth!
I think I’ll dedicate this year to all green foods as well! And sprinkle in some orange and white too ;)
I agree, Irish people are honestly just the loveliest :)
Now this is one way of eating avocado that I can get behind!
Can’t believe you don’t like avocados….but that’s ok, I still like you ;)
Wow, that looks really delicious! It looks like the chickpeas really thicken the dip up. Thanks for the recipe, can’t wait to try it!
Thanks Michelle! They’re great for a protein kick too :)
That is super green indeed! It sounds great. I’m not on instagram but I hope you share your recipe for those chickpea flour pancakes :)
I have a couple pancake recipes I need to share so stay tuned :)
I just followed you on instagram! I like this green dip! Looks awesome and I can’t wait to make it!! My instagram is danielletknapp
Thanks Danielle I hope you like it!
Thanks Danielle! I’m following you now too!
Green anything is welcome all the time my friend, great recipe :D
Cheers
CCU
Thanks Uru!
Avocado and chickpeas together sounds heavenly! And I am now following you on Instagram (@annawootton)!
Thanks Anna! Following you as we’ll :)
You lived in Ireland? Wow – that’s so cool! I’ve always wanted to go =) I’m part Irish and would love to see where my family came from.
That dip looks awesome!!! Super excited to make it =)
Ya I lived in Dublin for a while and just loved it :) definitely go if you get the opportunity. It’s so beautiful, fun and the people are just lovely!
We love green in our home, smoothies,dips soups -anything. I like your chickpea flour pancakes as well.
Thank you! Green is my favourite food colours :)
Oh, I would LOVE to follow you! I love following vegans on instagram. I’m @maggieolson. Though I’ll warn you: I volunteer at an animal shelter, so 90% of my photos have four-legged subjects :)
I’ve always been kinda shy about dill, so I’m really excited to make this and force myself to try it. I think I always associated with pickles, which I still do not like to this day, so it’s time to break that stereotype!
Yay can’t wait to follow you! I love looking at pics of cute animals :)
Hope you like the dip! I find dill gives a lightness to whatever it’s used in. It screams spring to me!
Yay more lovely green foods to brighten the last days of winter ;-)! I’ve got some Oriya green powder coming my way and can’t wait to try it.
I hope you like the powder!
Yay for green! I have been adding spirulina to my morning oats and it makes them electric green… and then no one has a doubt that I eat weird things. :)
Oh I’m right there with you. I am the token “weird eater” at my work. Ah well, at least we have fun with it ;)
Green food makes me so happy! This is a lot healthier than the green food colouring spiked beer I would drink on St Paddy’s Day of years gone by ;) How times have changed!
Oh I know right? I remember my babysitter used to make us green cookies and green milk with artificial dyes of course then university days were loaded with green beer and green mixers. I wouldn’t even recognize what I eat now!