Syrian Fattoush Salad
A vibrant and refreshing Levantine salad made with a mix of fresh vegetables, herbs, and toasted or fried pieces of pita bread, all tossed in a tangy sumac dressing. It's a staple in Syrian cuisine, perfect as a side or light meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 large Pita bread(cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 head Romaine lettuce(chopped)
- 3 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 2 medium Cucumbers(chopped)
- 1 bunch Radishes(thinly sliced)
- 1 medium Green bell pepper(chopped)
- 1/2 medium Red onion(thinly sliced)
- 1/4 cup Fresh mint leaves(chopped)
- 1/2 cup Fresh parsley leaves(chopped)
- For the Dressing
- 1/3 cup Olive oil
- 3 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Pomegranate molasses
- 1 tsp Sumac
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread the pita pieces on a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Alternatively, you can fry the pita pieces in oil until golden.
⏱️ 10 minutes💡 Tip: Watch the pita closely to prevent burning. - 2
In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, green bell pepper, and red onion.
💡 Tip: Ensure all vegetables are well-drained to avoid a watery salad. - 3
Add the chopped fresh mint and parsley to the vegetables.
💡 Tip: Using fresh herbs is crucial for the authentic flavor of Fattoush. - 4
Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, sumac, salt, and pepper until well combined.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 5
Just before serving, add the toasted pita bread to the salad bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.
💡 Tip: Adding the pita just before serving prevents it from becoming soggy.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Pomegranate molasses adds a unique sweet and tangy flavor that is characteristic of Fattoush.
- ✓Sumac provides a lemony tang and beautiful color to the dressing.
- ✓Feel free to add other vegetables like purslane or spring onions if available.
🔄 Variations
- Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for a more substantial meal.
- Substitute arugula for some of the romaine for a peppery bite.
- A pinch of dried mint can be added to the dressing for an extra layer of flavor.