Meet Melissa Ben-Ishay, the creative mind behind Baked By Melissa, a cupcake company famous for its bite-sized delights. But did you know she’s also the genius behind the internet’s most talked-about salad? Yes, her viral vegan green goddess salad video has taken TikTok by storm, amassing a whopping 19 million views and creating a fan frenzy!
Now, let’s talk salad. Picture this: a chopped salad bursting with green goodness – crunchy green cabbage, crisp cucumber, and zesty scallions, all mingling in a bowl. And here’s the kicker – the dressing is packed with spinach and basil, turning it into a vibrant green masterpiece. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s got a chunky guacamole vibe. And get this, Melissa serves it with tortilla chips for that extra crunch! Salad with chips? Pure genius!
We fell in love with Melissa’s original recipe, but we wanted to sprinkle in a bit of Mediterranean magic. So, we’ve added a Greek twist, swapping nuts for tahini, basil for dill, and tossing in some toasted sesame seeds for good measure. Oh, and our favorite tweak? A sprinkle of crumbled feta to add that tangy, cheesy kick!
Now, if you’re sticking to the vegan path, fear not! You can skip the feta or opt for vegan feta. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, crumble in some seasoned firm tofu. And forget about tortilla chips; we’re all about that Mediterranean vibe, so grab some pita chips or toast up some pita bread instead.
Green Goddess Salad
Ingredients
FOR THE DRESSING
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic roughly chopped
- 2 small shallots roughly chopped
- 2 scallions roughly chopped
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1/2 cup fresh dill
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
FOR THE SALAD
- 1 small green cabbage diced
- 2 Persian cucumbers diced
- 3 scallions thinly sliced
- 4 ounces feta vegan or regular, crumbled
- Fresh dill for garnish
- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish
- Pita chips or toasted pita for serving
Instructions
- Blend lemon juice, olive oil, tahini, vinegar, garlic, shallots, scallions, spinach, dill, nutritional yeast, and oregano until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, toss cabbage, cucumbers, scallions, and feta. Pour dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Garnish with dill and sesame seeds, and serve with pita.