Green Goddess Avocado Salad

You've likely heard of Green Goddess dressing, but have you tried it in a modern, avocado-centric salad? This refreshing dish takes the classic flavors from the 1920s and gives them a contemporary twist. By combining creamy avocados with a tangy, herb-infused Greek yogurt dressing, you'll create a salad that's both nutritious and indulgent. It's perfect for warm weather and can be customized to suit your tastes. But there's more to this salad than meets the eye – its history and versatility make it an intriguing topic for food enthusiasts and health-conscious diners alike.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Green Goddess Avocado Salad combines creamy avocados with a tangy yogurt-based dressing inspired by the classic Green Goddess recipe.
The salad features mixed greens, diced avocados, and a herb-infused dressing made with Greek yogurt, fresh herbs, and lemon juice.
Preparation is simple, involving blending the dressing, tossing greens, adding avocados, and garnishing with lemon wedges.
This refreshing dish offers a balance of flavors and textures, making it suitable for various meal settings and dietary preferences.
The salad is best served chilled and can be easily customized with additional herbs or toppings to suit individual tastes.

History

The roots of Green Goddess Avocado Salad can be traced back to the 1920s. While the salad itself is a more recent creation, it draws inspiration from the classic Green Goddess dressing.

You'll find that this dressing was first concocted in 1923 by Philip Roemer, the executive chef at San Francisco's Palace Hotel. He created it to honor actor George Arliss, who was starring in a play called "The Green Goddess" at the time.

The original dressing was a blend of mayonnaise, anchovies, tarragon vinegar, parsley, chives, and scallions. Over the years, it's evolved to include variations with Greek yogurt, avocado, and different herb combinations.

The Green Goddess Avocado Salad you know today is a modern twist on this culinary legacy. It combines the creamy, herbal notes of the dressing with nutrient-rich avocados and fresh greens.

This adaptation reflects the growing popularity of healthier, plant-based meals in recent years. By incorporating avocados, the salad not only pays homage to its historical roots but also caters to contemporary dietary preferences and nutritional awareness.

Recipe

Green Goddess Avocado Salad is a refreshing and nutritious dish that combines the creamy texture of avocados with the tangy flavors of a homemade green goddess dressing. This simple yet delicious salad is perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner, offering a balance of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility. With just five main ingredients, you can create a flavorful and satisfying meal that can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs. The creamy avocado pairs perfectly with the crisp mixed greens, while the Greek yogurt-based dressing adds a zesty kick to tie all the flavors together.

2 ripe avocados, diced
4 cups (120g) mixed salad greens
1 cup (240g) Greek yogurt
1/4 cup (15g) fresh mixed herbs (such as parsley, chives, and basil)
2 tablespoons (30ml) lemon juice

To prepare the Green Goddess Avocado Salad, start by making the dressing. In a blender, combine the Greek yogurt, fresh herbs, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth and creamy.

In a large bowl, gently toss the mixed salad greens with half of the dressing. Add the diced avocados and drizzle the remaining dressing over the top. Lightly toss to combine, being careful not to mash the avocados.

For best results, choose avocados that are ripe but still firm to the touch. This will ensure they hold their shape in the salad.

If you prefer a thinner dressing, you can add a tablespoon of water or extra lemon juice to the blender. For added protein, consider topping the salad with grilled chicken or chickpeas.

This salad is best served immediately, but if you need to prepare it in advance, wait to add the avocados until just before serving to prevent browning.

Cooking Steps

To prepare your Green Goddess Avocado Salad, you'll start by blending the dressing ingredients until smooth and creamy.

Next, you'll toss the mixed greens with half of the dressing in a large bowl, then gently add the diced avocados and drizzle the remaining dressing over the top.

Step 1. Blend Dressing Ingredients Together

First, gather all the dressing ingredients: Greek yogurt, fresh mixed herbs, and lemon juice. You'll need a blender or food processor to create a smooth, creamy dressing that perfectly coats your salad greens.

Add the Greek yogurt to the blender first, as it forms the base of your dressing. Next, toss in the fresh mixed herbs. Don't be shy with these; they're the key to the vibrant flavor of your Green Goddess dressing. Finally, squeeze in the lemon juice, which adds a bright, tangy note to balance the creamy yogurt.

Once all ingredients are in the blender, secure the lid tightly. Start blending on a low speed, gradually increasing to medium-high. You'll want to blend until the herbs are finely chopped and fully incorporated into the yogurt. This usually takes about 30-45 seconds.

If you notice any herbs sticking to the sides of the blender, stop and scrape them down with a spatula. Resume blending until you achieve a smooth, uniform consistency. Your dressing should be a pale green color with tiny flecks of herbs visible throughout.

Step 2. Toss Greens With Dressing

With your dressing prepared, it's time to assemble the salad. Start by selecting a large, spacious bowl that will comfortably accommodate all your ingredients.

Gently place the mixed salad greens into the bowl, ensuring they're evenly distributed. Now, take half of your prepared Green Goddess dressing and drizzle it over the greens.

Using clean hands or salad tongs, carefully toss the greens to coat them evenly with the dressing. Be gentle in your movements to avoid bruising the delicate leaves.

As you toss, you'll notice the greens taking on a light, glossy sheen from the dressing. Make sure to lift the greens from the bottom of the bowl, folding them over to ensure every leaf gets a taste of the creamy, herby dressing.

If you find that the greens aren't evenly coated, don't hesitate to add a bit more dressing, but be careful not to overdress the salad. You want the greens to be lightly coated, not swimming in dressing.

Once you're satisfied with the coverage, you're ready to move on to the next step: adding the star ingredient, avocado.

Step 3. Add Diced Avocados

After tossing the greens, it's time to add the star ingredient: diced avocados.

Carefully slice your ripe avocados in half, remove the pit, and scoop out the flesh. Dice the avocado into bite-sized chunks, about 1/2 inch in size. This will ensure a perfect balance of creamy texture in each bite of your salad.

Gently add the diced avocados to your dressed greens, distributing them evenly throughout the bowl.

Be careful not to mash or bruise the avocado pieces, as you want them to maintain their shape and integrity. The creamy texture of the avocado will contrast beautifully with the crispness of the greens.

Once you've added the avocados, drizzle the remaining dressing over the top of the salad.

This final touch will coat the avocados with the flavorful Green Goddess dressing, enhancing their natural richness.

If you're serving the salad immediately, you can lightly toss everything together. However, if you're preparing it in advance, it's best to leave the avocados on top and toss just before serving to prevent browning.

Step 4. Garnish With Lemon Wedges

To put the finishing touches on your Green Goddess Avocado Salad, you'll want to garnish it with fresh lemon wedges. This simple addition not only enhances the visual appeal of your dish but also serves a practical purpose. Cut a lemon into small wedges, about 6-8 pieces per lemon, depending on its size.

Arrange these wedges around the edge of your salad bowl or plate, creating an attractive border that complements the vibrant greens and creamy avocados. The lemon wedges aren't just for show; they're an integral part of the dining experience.

As you're ready to eat, squeeze a wedge over your salad to add a bright, citrusy zing that'll wake up your taste buds. This extra burst of acidity will balance the richness of the avocados and the creamy dressing, creating a more complex flavor profile.

It also helps prevent the avocados from browning if you don't plan to serve the salad immediately. Remember, presentation is key, so take a moment to arrange your lemon wedges thoughtfully. Your efforts will result in a visually stunning and deliciously balanced Green Goddess Avocado Salad.

Step 5. Serve Chilled

Once you've assembled your Green Goddess Avocado Salad, it's crucial to serve it chilled for the best flavor and texture. Place the prepared salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld and the greens to crisp up.

If you're short on time, you can chill the individual components separately before assembling the salad. Make sure your avocados are cold, as this will help prevent browning and maintain their firmness.

When you're ready to serve, remove the salad from the refrigerator and give it a gentle toss to redistribute the dressing. If you've made the salad in advance, you might need to add a splash of lemon juice to brighten the flavors.

Serve the chilled salad immediately in pre-cooled bowls or plates to maintain its refreshing temperature. For an extra touch of coolness, you can place the serving dishes in the freezer for a few minutes before plating.