The Chef-Approved Pantry Powder That Will Amp Up Green Goddess Dressing
In addition to being healthy and packed full of nutrients, salads are some of the most customizable meal options. You can add any combination of leafy greens, fruits, proteins, vegetables, nuts, and more to a bowl, then top it off with your favorite dressing for a delicious, nutritious meal.
Though it's typically used in the salad of the same name — which actually gets its name from the dressing — green goddess salad dressing can also be used with pasta, sandwiches, hummus, and even soups. It gets its name from its distinct, bold green color, caused by the fresh herbs — such as basil, parsley, and tarragon — scallions, and avocados that are blended into the dressing.
The ingredients used in green goddess dressing recipes are commonly found in many kitchens. However, there's one seasoning blend you'll want to make sure you have on hand before you make your next batch of the dressing.
This seasoning mix is found in the dressing aisle
Chef Michelle Bernstein owns Miami's Café La Trova, as well as her eponymously named catering business. And when it comes to making salad dressing, there's one store-bought ingredient she doesn't skimp on: Hidden Valley ranch dressing powder.
Bernstein told Food & Wine that she adds a "heavy pinch" of the powder to green goddess dressing. While this may not be the norm, the chef says goddess dressing is "good, but definitely not as good" without the addition.
Hidden Valley's ranch seasoning combines garlic, onion, salt, and other spices into a mix, making homemade ranch dressing easier than ever. The site even has a recipe sharing how to make homemade dressing taste close to the pre-made bottles. It is sold in packets, or in 8- or 16-ounce shaker jars. And as Bernstein suggests, the seasoning packet is a great companion to other dressings, too.
Where did goddess dressing come from?
Despite its name, green goddess dressing wasn't named after a woman. It takes its name from the play "The Green Goddess" by William Archer. It was created for actor George Arliss when he stayed at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco in 1923, while he was performing in the play. Chef Philip Roemer worked for the hotel, and he reportedly took inspiration from one of Louis XIII's favorite dressings — though the king preferred to dine with it over eel, rather than salad.
The original recipe was reportedly made from mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, lemon juice, chives, parsley, and anchovies. Though it's gone through a few changes over the years — many chefs now add spinach, capers, egg yolks, and even avocados — the flavor should stay the same: refreshing, herby, and slightly tangy.
The next time you're making homemade green goddess dressing, try adding ranch powder for that dose of tang.