Fab Fête: Happy St. Patrick's Day! (Tomorrow)

Named for patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, this holiday originally centered around the color blue. As Saint Patrick used the three-leaf clover to explain the Holy Trinity, green began to take over the March 17th celebration starting as early as the 17th century. It is rumored that St. Patrick's Day originated as one day in which you could take a break from lent. There was often a large feast and alcohol. In 1903 the holiday became official in Ireland and has since made its way around the world.

In New York, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated all over 5th Avenue. This year's parade will start at 11am and will run up 5th Avenue between 44th and 86th streets, ending at 5pm. The official seating stands are at 68th street and seating is first come first serve. Click on the link below to read more on New York Magazine! http://nymag.com/guides/stpatricksday/parade/

Here are a few links to St. Patrick's Day Celebrations in a few of my other favorite cities...Enjoy!

Atlanta, GA - http://www.stpatsparadeatlanta.com/
Baltimore, MD - http://www.irishparade.net/
Charlotte, NC - http://www.charlottestpatsday.com/
Charleston, SC - http://www.charlestoncocktail.com/event_stpattysday.html
Denver, CO - http://www.denverstpatricksdayparade.org/
New Orleans, LA - http://www.nola.com/stpatricks/
Raleigh, NC - http://www.raleighstpats.org/
Washington D.C. - http://www.dcstpatsparade.com/

Adding Green to Your Day...

If you decide to skip the bar scene this year and host your own fete, you can still drink green beer! And who would want to miss out on that? Simply drop in 4-6 drops of green food coloring into a light beer (sorry, no Guiness here). Stir and sip!

http://travellingtroll.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/green-beer.jpg

(Traveling Troll)

PESTO AND SPINACH PASTA

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/kitchen/2008_07_17-SpinachPestoPasta.jpg

(thekitchn.com)

You can buy dried spinach pasta at any grocery store. Mix with pesto for a delicious, easy, green dinner!

PESTO INGREDIENTS

2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts
3 medium sized garlic cloves, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Blend basil leaves and pine nuts in a pulsating food processor.
2. Add 3 peeled, minced garlic cloves.
3. Slowly add olive oil while the food processor is on.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve over spinach pasta with sauteed asparagus, mushrooms, or whatever is handy! More recipies to come tomorrow!

Green Fab Fete Inspiration....