Fattoush – Middle Eastern Pita Bread Salad

Wow, did summer came in with a bang! I returned a few days ago from vacation in California (first vacation since starting my new job late last year – yay!) to a wave of hot weather. And it’s not just here in New York, the heat is all over! If you’re battling the heat, and if you’ve ever read Ahu Eats before, you know I love my salads! Especially colorful ones.  They are the best meal in hot weather – which is why I’m very excited to bring you this refreshing Fattoush salad.

Fattoush is a vegan salad that is a staple on Middle Eastern dinner tables. Crunchy pita bread croutons, flavorful veggies and a tangy sumac dressing!

At first, fattoush salad might not seem all that different from Israeli or Salad Shirazi – but take a closer look! In addition to the base of lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and onions, we’ve added in radishes, parsley and fresh mint. What really takes this salad to the next level are the crunchy pita bread croutons and the super tangy and unique sumac-lime dressing.

Fattoush is a vegan salad that is a staple on Middle Eastern dinner tables. Crunchy pita bread croutons, flavorful veggies and a tangy sumac dressing!

If you’ve never had sumac before, you’re missing out (thank you The Kitchn for agreeing)! Sumac is a powder made from dried sumac berries – it has a tangy, citrus-y flavor and gorgeous color. In Persian or Iranian cuisine, it is called somagh and is sprinkled generously over chelo kabob (rice and kabob) for an extra oomph of flavor.

… Confession: I may or may not love it so much that a violent douse might be how my family describes my usage instead of a delicate sprinkle. 😛

In any case, it’s a delicious spice and can be used in many ways – I’m biased but I think this fattoush salad is the perfect place to start.

Fattoush is a vegan salad that is a staple on Middle Eastern dinner tables. Crunchy pita bread croutons, flavorful veggies and a tangy sumac dressing!

Although fattoush may not be a traditionally Persian dish – I’ve mostly had it in Lebanese / Middle Eastern restaurants – it has flavor profiles that are characteristic of Iranian cuisine – full of greens, tangy and packed with flavor! Fattoush is on my heavy rotation for this summer – I hope you will enjoy it too!

Fattoush is a vegan salad that is a staple on Middle Eastern dinner tables. Crunchy pita bread croutons, flavorful veggies and a tangy sumac dressing!

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. <– That could be you in about 15 minutes if you decide to make this delicious and refreshing salad! Enjoy and stay cool. 🙂

Fattoush Salad

 

Author: Ahu Shahrabani

Recipe type: Salad

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Prep time:  10 mins

Cook time:  5 mins

Total time:  15 mins

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Fattoush is a vegan salad that is a staple on Middle Eastern dinner tables. Crunchy pita bread croutons, flavorful veggies and a tangy sumac dressing!

Ingredients

Salad

• 1 head romaine lettuce, cut into ½ inch strips
• 3-4 Persian cucumbers, diced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 1 large red onion, diced
• 4-5 small radishes, cut into slices
  
• Fresh mint leaves, torn into small pieces
• Fresh parsley, torn into small pieces

Croutons

• 1 large or 2 small pita rounds, cut into pieces the size of a postage stamp
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Dressing

• 2 Limes or lemons (depending on how sour you like it), juiced
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sumac
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Start with preparing the croutons by heatinng 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in a non stick pan over medium high heat until hot.
2. Add the pita pieces and saute for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
3. Remove from heat and let cool on a paper towel to soak up the excess oil.
4. Combine the lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, radishes and herbs in a large mixing bowl.
5. Mix 2 tablespoons olive oil, lime or lemon juice, sumac and salt / pepper in a small bowl and whisk vigorously.
6. Add the croutons to the salad and mix gently.
7. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
8. Move the salad into a serving bowl and garnish with mint and additional pita croutons.

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