Cornbread Salad/Buttermilk Green Goddess Dressing

Cornbread Crouton Salad with Buttermilk Green Goddess Dressing
The story: Old school meets modern sass-I took parts of this salad from “back in the 1900’s” and gave it a 21st century “glow-up!” This is made with crispy cornbread croutons, not that layered salad with crumpled up cornbread. The dressing? Another one from back in the 1900’s, but spun Southern-style with buttermilk.
Ingredients:
Vegetable cooking spray (VCS)
1 (8.5-ounce) package corn muffin mix (I used Jiffy)
Buttermilk Green Goddess Dressing (recipe attached)
8 cups mixed baby salad greens
2 cups frozen green peas, thawed
1 large tomato, seeded and chopped
2 small cucumbers, peeled and chopped
4-6 ounces shredded smoked Gouda cheese

Instructions:
Cut a piece of waxed paper to fit into bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan. Spray bottom and sides of pan with VCS; line with waxed paper and spray with VCS. Prepare corn muffin mix according to package directions and spoon into prepared pan. Bake according to package directions for an 8-inch square pan. Cool completely. Carefully turn cornbread onto a cutting board and cut into cubes. Carefully place cubes onto a parchment paper-lined baking pan. Bake at 250° for 1 hour. Let cool completely.

Prepare Buttermilk Green Goddess Dressing and chill thoroughly.

In a large bowl, gently toss salad greens, peas, tomato, and cucumber. Drizzle with about 1/3 of Buttermilk Green Goddess Dressing, and toss lightly. Sprinkle top with shredded cheese and croutons. Serve immediately.

Buttermilk Green Goddess Dressing
Ingredients:
1 cup whole milk buttermilk
¾ cup mayonnaise
1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons each fresh dill, parsley, basil, oregano, and thyme (or other herbs like marjoram, tarragon, etc.)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon anchovy paste
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; process with an immersion blender until smooth. Cover and chill thoroughly. (Can also combine in a blender or food processor.)