Fattoush Salad (Version 2)
Why I Love This Recipe
FEATURING: Lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and mint (optional).
A traditional Middle Eastern salad that is fresh and simply delicious. You can usually find 'sumac' in middle-eastern grocery stores.
TO KEEP YOUR SALAD LONGER: Keep the dressing in a jar and only drizzle it on top of your salad when you are ready to eat it. You may need to shake the dressing before serving.
NOTE: You can add up to 1 cup feta cheese if you want- just crumble it with your hands first. We just don't add it.
Ingredients You'll Need
FOR THE SALAD
1 lettuce head, chopped or torn in pieces
1-2 sweet pepper, diced
1 cucumber, diced (you can take off skin or not, your choice)
1-2 tomatoes, chopped (or a handful of cherry tomatoes, cut in quarters)
1/2 cup fresh or red onion (or green onions), chopped fine
1 can of roasted chickpeas (optional)
FOR THE DRESSING (makes more than you need but I prefer having left over dressing in case)
6 Tbsp olive oil
4 Tbsp of lemon juice (approx. juice of 1 lemon)
2 tsp garlic (or 2 garlic scapes), minced
1 tsp fresh mint, chopped (optional but it makes the dressing really pop)
2 tsp sumac, ground
1 tsp sea salt
Black pepper, to taste
FOR THE PITA CHIPS
4 pita bread (18 cm, 7 in), chopped in 5 cm (2 in) strips
2 Tbsp olive oil
Directions
MAKE THE PITA CHIPS: Preheat oven to 375F (190C). In a large bowl, put the cut pita and drizzle the oil on top. Mix well. Lay pita on parchment paper on cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 min until golden and crispy- make sure to flip them half way through cooking. Take out of oven and put aside.
MAKE THE DRESSING: In a mason jar, add all the ingredients except the oil. Slowly add the oil as you mix, until well blended. The dressing may separate. If so, just mix/shake it from time to time.
MAKE THE SALAD: In a large salad bowl, add the lettuce, pepper, cucumber, tomatoes. Add baked pita bread (break them in large pieces with your hands). Add onion and chickpea (if using). Add the dressing to each bowl (that way you can keep your salad longer). Serve.
