Fattoush is a popular Middle Eastern salad that is known for its refreshing and vibrant flavors. It is a versatile dish that includes a mix of fresh vegetables, herbs, and crispy pieces of toasted or fried flatbread. Fattoush is often seasoned with a tangy dressing made with olive oil and sumac, giving it a distinctive and zesty taste. Here's a basic recipe for Fattoush:



Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• 2 large tomatoes, diced
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
• 1 red onion, finely sliced
• 1 cup radishes, thinly sliced
• 1 cup romaine lettuce or mixed salad greens, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
• 1 cup crispy pieces of toasted or fried flatbread (pita or Lebanese bread)

For the Dressing:

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground sumac (a tangy Middle Eastern spice)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Prepare the Salad:

• In a large salad bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, radishes, chopped lettuce or salad greens, mint, and parsley.

Prepare the Dressing:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, ground sumac, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

Assemble the Fattoush:

• Just before serving, add the crispy pieces of toasted or fried flatbread to the salad. The flatbread should be broken into bite-sized pieces.
• Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together gently, ensuring that the dressing coats the vegetables and bread evenly.

Serve:

• Serve Fattoush immediately, allowing the bread to maintain its crispiness. The combination of fresh vegetables, herbs, and the tangy dressing creates a delicious and satisfying salad.

Note:

Some variations of Fattoush include the addition of other ingredients such as pomegranate seeds, feta cheese, or olives for extra flavor.