Fattoush Salad
A vibrant and refreshing Middle Eastern salad, Fattoush is a delightful mix of fresh vegetables, herbs, and crispy toasted pita bread, all tossed in a tangy sumac-lemon dressing. It's a classic mezze dish perfect as a side or a light meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 small (4-inch) Pita bread(torn into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tbsp Vegetable oil(for frying pita)
- 1 small head Romaine lettuce(chopped)
- 1 large English cucumber(finely diced)
- 3 cups Grape tomatoes(halved)
- 0.5 medium Red onion(finely diced)
- 0.75 cup Fresh parsley(chopped)
- 0.75 cup Fresh mint leaves(chopped)
- 5 small Radishes(thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil(for dressing)
- 1 tbsp Fresh lemon juice(for dressing)
- 1 tsp Sumac(for dressing)
- 1 clove Garlic(minced, for dressing)
- 0.5 tsp Salt(to taste)
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, to taste)
- 1 oz Feta cheese(crumbled, for topping (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
To prepare the pita chips, heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry the pita pieces until golden brown and crispy on both sides. Blot them dry with paper towels and set aside.
💡 Tip: Alternatively, you can toast the pita pieces in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) until crisp. - 2
In a large serving bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, diced cucumber, halved grape tomatoes, diced red onion, chopped parsley, chopped mint, and sliced radishes.
💡 Tip: Ensure all vegetables are chopped into similar, bite-sized pieces for easy eating. - 3
In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, sumac, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
💡 Tip: Sumac provides a characteristic tangy flavor to Fattoush. - 4
Pour about half of the dressing over the vegetables in the large bowl and toss gently to combine. Add more dressing as desired, tossing again.
💡 Tip: It's best to dress the salad just before serving to prevent the pita chips from becoming soggy. - 5
Add the crispy pita chips to the salad and toss lightly one more time. If using, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top.
💡 Tip: Add the pita chips at the very last moment to maintain their crunch. - 6
Serve immediately as a refreshing side dish or a light main course.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a more complex flavor, you can add pomegranate molasses to the dressing.
- ✓Other vegetables like bell peppers, purslane, or green onions can be added.
- ✓If you don't have fresh mint, you can omit it or use a small amount of dried mint.
🔄 Variations
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a more substantial meal.
- Incorporate other herbs like cilantro or dill.