Last-Minute St. Patrick’s Day Fun Fun Families.com

Last-Minute St. Patrick’s Day Fun

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History is being made in Chicago right now. It’s the first time ever that the mercury has hit 84 degrees on St. Patrick’s Day. Talk about lucky. Who needs four-leaf clovers, rainbows and pots of gold when you’ve got record-breaking spring temperatures?

What’s more, the Windy City is not the only place where Mother Nature is confusing March for June. Unusually high temperatures are being recorded from coast-to-coast. Forget about slaving over a hot stove making Corned Beef and Cabbage. Rather, break out the brats, heat up the grill and make this festive green pasta salad to dine al fresco:

SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE PASTA SALAD

Ingredients:

1 box of rainbow Rotini, cooked and cooled

2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

1 can of artichoke hearts, chopped

1 can of roasted red peppers, chopped

1/2 of a small red onion, finely diced

1 clove garlic, minced

Zest of one lemon

Juice of one lemon

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup basil, chopped

Salt and pepper

1 cup grape tomatoes cut in half

Directions:

In a large bowl add pasta, baby spinach, artichoke, roasted red pepper, garlic and red onion. Toss gently.

In a separate bowl whisk lemon zest, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Add the basil, tomatoes, salt and pepper, and dressing to bowl with pasta.

Mix together until salad is evenly coated with dressing.

Serve immediately.

If you are having guests over to celebrate the holiday, consider sending each one home with a little favor made from simple materials found around the house.

GREEN GOODY BAG

Materials:

Green felt

Hot glue gun

Plastic gemstones, buttons, sequins or other embellishments

Foil-wrapped chocolate coins

Gold glitter

Embroidery needle

Embroidery floss

Directions:

Cut the felt in a large circle using a saucer as a template.

Run a basting stitch around the edge of the bag, roughly two inches from the edge.