Green Goddess Dressing: Best Paired Cheeses For A Fresh Bite

Green goddess dressing is a creamy, herb-filled salad dressing that was created in the 1920s at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. While traditional recipes call for a base of mayonnaise, sour cream, or Greek yogurt, some modern variations use cottage cheese or goat cheese for added richness and tanginess. This versatile dressing can be paired with various cheeses, such as goat cheese, cottage cheese, or Greek yogurt, depending on personal preference and the desired flavour profile.

Goat cheese as a base

Goat cheese is a fantastic base for green goddess dressing, adding a tangy, creamy texture and a unique flavour. It's a healthier alternative to the traditional base of mayonnaise, offering more protein and vitamins, and less processing.

A simple recipe for goat cheese green goddess dressing includes a package of soft, fresh goat cheese, sour cream, and a variety of fresh herbs such as tarragon, parsley, and chives. You can also add buttermilk, avocados, and lemon juice to enhance the flavour and create a smooth, creamy texture.

For a more indulgent option, you can add extra virgin olive oil, green onions, basil, and garlic to the mix. This will create a thicker, richer dressing that is perfect for dipping or drizzling over roasted vegetables.

Goat cheese green goddess dressing is a versatile and delicious way to elevate your salads, dips, and veggies. It's a great choice for those who want a healthier option without compromising on taste.

Ingredients:

• 1 (5-ounce) package soft fresh goat cheese
• 2/3 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
• Buttermilk
• Avocados
• Lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Using a rubber spatula, mix goat cheese and sour cream in a medium bowl until well combined.
• In a blender, puree buttermilk, avocados, tarragon, parsley, and chives until smooth.
• Gradually whisk the buttermilk mixture into the goat cheese mixture until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• The dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Cottage cheese as a base

Cottage cheese is an excellent base for green goddess dressing. It adds a subtle cheese flavour, a tangy and rich taste, and a creamy texture to the dressing. It is also a healthier alternative to other bases such as mayonnaise or sour cream.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat or regular)
• Fresh herbs (basil, dill, chives, tarragon, parsley, cilantro, arugula, and/or watercress)
• Lemon juice and zest
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Garlic
• Mustard (optional)

Instructions

Add all the ingredients to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, adding water or olive oil to adjust the consistency as needed. You can also add a little bit of mayonnaise, olive oil, or Greek yogurt for a smoother and creamier finish.

Serve this cottage cheese green goddess dressing as a dip with raw veggies or drizzle it over salads, chicken, or fish. Enjoy the creamy, tangy, and fresh flavours of this delicious dressing!

Greek yoghurt as a base

Greek yoghurt is a great base for green goddess dressing, adding a tangy flavour and a creamy texture. It's also a healthier alternative to the classic base of mayonnaise or sour cream.

To make a green goddess dressing with Greek yoghurt, you'll need a combination of fresh herbs. Parsley and chives are a good starting point, and you can add dill, mint, tarragon, basil, or cilantro. Tarragon is especially recommended for its mild licorice flavour, which makes the dressing complex and unique. You'll also need lemon juice and zest for a bright, fresh flavour, and extra-virgin olive oil to add richness and thin the sauce.

To make the dressing, simply add all the ingredients to a food processor and pulse until well combined. You can then serve it as a dip or toss it with salad greens. It will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Some recipes also include capers, garlic, salt, and pepper for added depth of flavour. If you're not vegetarian, you can also add anchovies or anchovy paste for a savoury undertone.

Greek yoghurt green goddess dressing is a versatile sauce that can be used as a dip for vegetables or pita bread, drizzled over roasted vegetables, or spooned into a baked sweet potato. It's a great way to use up fresh herbs and add a punch of flavour to your dishes.

Green goddess dressing's history

Green goddess dressing was first served at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco in 1923. The dressing was created by the hotel's head chef, Philip Roemer, to honour the renowned theatre actor George Arliss, who was staying at the hotel while performing in the play 'The Green Goddess'. The play is now considered racially insensitive, but it was a hit at the time.

According to one source, the dressing was created as a challenge set by Arliss, who did not like any of the salad dressing options available and asked Roemer to make a better one. However, another source states that the dressing was served to Arliss on a starter salad as an honour.

The original recipe included mayonnaise, herbs such as parsley, tarragon, chives, and/or green onions, and vinegar, preferably tarragon vinegar. It was served on a canned artichoke, which was considered a luxury at the time.

Green goddess dressing became popular in the 1930s, appearing on restaurant menus and in newspaper articles. It regained popularity in the 1970s, with many articles explaining how to make a homemade version, despite commercially bottled versions being available in grocery stores.

Today, the dressing is still enjoyed as a salad dressing, dip, or sauce and can be found on supermarket shelves or made at home.

Green goddess dressing's health benefits

Green goddess dressing is a versatile sauce that can be used as a salad dressing, a dip for vegetables, or a topping for proteins like chicken or fish. It is typically made with a base of Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or mayonnaise, and is flavoured with a variety of fresh herbs such as parsley, chives, tarragon, and dill.

• Lower-calorie alternative: Green goddess dressing can be a lower-calorie alternative to other dips and dressings. For example, using Greek yogurt or cottage cheese as a base instead of mayonnaise or sour cream can reduce the overall calorie content.
• Improved heart health: Garlic, often used as an ingredient in green goddess dressing, has been found to have potential heart health benefits. Studies have shown that garlic extract can help reduce blood pressure, which is a risk factor for heart disease.
• Increased vegetable intake: The creamy and flavourful profile of green goddess dressing can make it a tasty way to increase your vegetable intake. It pairs well with carrots, snap peas, cucumbers, and other raw vegetables as a dip.
• Potential protection against diabetes: Dill, a common herb used in green goddess dressing, has been found to have potential blood sugar-lowering effects. According to a study published in the Journal of Tropical Medicine, dill may be beneficial in managing diabetes.
• Probiotics: If made with Greek yogurt or sour cream, green goddess dressing can be a source of probiotics, which are good bacteria that promote a healthy gut bacterial balance.

Frequently asked questions