Who doesn’t love a good simple salad and all the green goddess dressing? This homemade avocado-based dressing and salad recipe is vegan, paleo, and Whole30! Add your favorite lean protein for a great lunch option.
Ending the first week of the 2017 year with so much good stuff! Drew and I have been taking more steps to start the official house hunt, The Food Entrepreneur Summit has been packed with loads of good stuff, and I got up for two 6am classes at FLEXcity–and an 8am on New Year’s Day 😉 HOLLA.
Oh! And we’re on day five of my first Whole30! Which I’ll be honest with you all…I really want some effing chocolate. Like, really. I’m totally starting to question what the heck it is that I have gotten myself into… Meal prep has been great and I am enjoying what I have made for various meals but I just really would love a damn piece of chocolate. *sigh*
Maybe I should read the book that actually goes along with Whole30 (It Starts with Food) so I can better wrap my head around this beast… I’ve read various articles and posts on the Whole30 website but I would likely get more out reading the book. And I’m sure what I am feeling is normal (i.e. my anger towards not being able to have chocolate…err, I hope that’s normal?) but any advice from veteran Whole30 peeps would be greatly appreciated.
Kale Spinach Salad with Avocado Green Goddess Dressing
Whole30 means more meals for YOU here on the blog. So that’s good right? I always strive to bring you more meals each year but then I just have so much fun baking… and taste testing… Okay, so maybe this challenge is a good thing.
Salads and homemade dressings have always been my jam but I end up using maple syrup in my recipes because most of the dressings I have are balsamic vinegar based–to cut the vinegar with a little bit of sweet is kind of needed. Yes, I love balsamic dressings the best… But to bring something different to the table I thought I’d go for a green goddess dressing! I always love when I see a green goddess dressing salad when going out to eat, so I thought it was about time I share one with you all here.
As long as you have a small food processor or blender, you can whip this homemade dressing up in minutes.
For the dressing
- extra virgin olive oil
- lemon juice
- water
- minced garlic
- tahini
- avocados
- basil
- salt & pepper
Just blend all the ingredients till smooth and your green goddess dressing is ready for action.
Then for the salad it’s just some massaged kale leaves (yes, massaged…) spinach, cherry tomatoes and I tossed on some hemp hearts for fun. Of course you could also use any greens you have on hand, but the dark leafy greens hold the most nutrients like iron, magnesium, vitamin A, C and K.
This salad would make a great dish to bring to gatherings, a nice side salad with dinner, or it makes for a great lunch option when paired with your favorite lean protein.
And the green goddess dressing is a great dipping sauce too.
How to Make…
Simple Kale Spinach Salad with Avocado Green Goddess Dressing
Who doesn’t love a good simple salad and all the green goddess dressing? This homemade avocado-based dressing and salad recipe is vegan, paleo, and Whole30! Add your favorite lean protein for a great lunch option.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 4–6 1x
- Scale:
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 2 cups spinach
- 2 cups chopped kale, massaged with olive oil
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 TBS hemp hearts
Green Goddess Dressing
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 medium avocados (or 2 small), pitted and fleshed
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves (a small handful)
- 2 TBS tahini
- 1 TBS apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp pink salt, to taste
Instructions
- Toss spinach and kale in large bowl, top with cherry tomatoes and hemp hearts. Set aside.
- In a small blender or food processor add all of your dressing ingredients–if using a NutriBullet it helps if you add the ingredients in the order above–and process until smooth. Dressing is pretty thick, so if you want it thinner you can add more water 1-2 tablespoons at a time.
- Toss dressing with salad, or serve individually. Enjoy!
Recipes Notes:
Add your favorite lean protein and additional veggies for a filling lunch salad!
Nutrition Information:
- Serving Size: 1/6th with dressing
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 176
- Fat: 19
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 9
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
let’s chat
- For my Whole30 peeps, how are you doing?! Talk to me!
- How is your 2017 so far?
Karlie says
So delicious and I love that its vegan! I’d love to whip up some green goddess dressing and bring some brightness to these dark cold days. Stay strong you got this!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says
The other day, I simply massage a mashed avocado into kale and THAT was lovely, so this is like next level amazing! I’ve never had a green goddess dressing before, but I think that needs to change!
And Whole30 is going well, I’d say. I was stranded as a show last night without a snack (poor planning), but I just ate when I got home. Not the end of the world. That said, when I’m stressed, I’ve realized that I turn to chocolate and/or Diet Coke for comfort, so I’m learning to deal with that better. Definitely a good experience 🙂
Ashley says
Being without a snack when you’re really hungry is the worst! But I am glad you’re already learning some things! I think I am learning that I actually may rely on snacking and chocolate more than I thought…
Ellie | Hungry by Nature says
I highly recommend reading the book! I read it last fall when I was still thinking about doing the Whole30 and it made me want to do it IMMEDIATELY. There is a lot of great information – both easy to understand and super science-y – that explains how our bodies process different kinds of food. And I found it so interesting!
So far, my first week went great! I was definitely craving some PB and chocolate last night though, so I treated myself to a date stuffed with almond butter 🙂
Ashley says
Gah maybe I should dive into the book then… I am glad your first week went well though! That is awesome. I just wish my husband wouldn’t have brought home that huge bag on monster cookies from a friends that night -_- I had a dream I “accidentally” drank an entire bottle of chocolate milk. Ha.
Emily says
I have to say that you ladies are really brave to do the Whole 30; that takes some stamina and perseverance. God made SO many beautiful green veggies, and you are definitely utilizing them to make some awesome recipes. 🙂
Ashley says
I’ll be honest and say that I am still a little nervous! Only on day 5 and yikes… I just really want some chocolate!
Emily Weir says
That dressing sounds like something I would want to eat on everything! Kudos for committing to Whole 30 though. I’m too afraid to commit; every time I’ve tried a meal plan like that, my blood sugar levels just don’t know what to do and I end up feeling worse, which is obviously not the intention.
Ashley says
Yeah it is both harder and easier at times than I thought. I can’t say I’ve noticed anything in my blood sugar levels, but I am trying to eat more at each meal than I normally do because I am such a snacker usually.
Britney @ Savour & Shine says
I love a good simple salad! And this dressing sounds fabulous! Hang in there girl, you’ve got this Whole30 challenge! xx