Lebanese Fattoush Salad with Crispy Pita and Sumac
A traditional Lebanese salad, Fattoush is a vibrant mix of fresh vegetables, herbs, and crispy pita bread, all brought together with a zesty sumac dressing. This dish is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate, with a variety of textures and flavors that embody the essence of Mediterranean cuisine.
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Large mixing bowl
- Small whisking bowl
- Whisk
- Knife
- Chopping board
Ingredients
- 1 head Romaine lettuce, roughly chopped 500g
- 1 cucumber English cucumber, diced 300g
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved 150g
- 1/2 cup Radishes, thinly sliced 60g
- 1 pepper Green bell pepper, diced 150g
- 1 small Red onion, thinly sliced 100g
- 1/2 cup Fresh mint leaves, chopped 20g
- 1/2 cup Fresh parsley leaves, chopped 20g
- 2 rounds Whole wheat pita bread
- 1/4 cup Extra-virgin olive oil 60ml
- 3 tablespoons Lemon juice 45ml
- 1 clove Garlic, minced 3g
- 2 teaspoons Ground sumac 10g
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the pita bread into bite-sized pieces, toss with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sumac. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until golden and crispy, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, radishes, green bell pepper, red onion, mint, and parsley.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, remaining sumac, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to ensure all the vegetables are coated.
- Just before serving, add the crispy pita pieces to the salad and give it a final toss.
- Serve the Fattoush Salad immediately to enjoy the crispness of the pita.
Notes
To maintain the freshness and crunch of the pita, add it to the salad just before serving. For a gluten-free version, substitute the whole wheat pita with gluten-free pita. The sumac gives this salad its distinctive tangy flavor, but if it's unavailable, you can use a little extra lemon zest for a similar zing.