Fattoush Salad is a beloved dish hailing from the heart of the Mediterranean. This Lebanese-inspired salad has it all; fresh crisp vegetables, fragrant herbs, crunchy bread and a delicious tangy dressing.
Authentic Fattoush Salad
Fattoush Salad is more than just a simple salad; when you eat it you will be transported to the sun-kissed lands of the Levant. What sets Fattoush apart is its distinctive use of toasted pita bread (Lebanese bread), which adds a delightful crunch and a hint of smokiness to every bite. The salad typically features a colourful medley of crisp vegetables, fragrant herbs, and tangy pomegranate dressing, creating the perfect mix of flavours and textures.
Ingredients in a Fattoush Salad:
1. Crisp Vegetables: Start with a base of crisp romaine or cos lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion and radishes . These fresh vegetables provide a delightful crunch and a burst of colour to the salad.
2. Fragrant Herbs: Fattoush wouldn’t be complete without an abundance of fragrant herbs. Fresh mint and parsley lend their aromatic flavours, infusing the salad.
3. Toasted Pita Bread: One of the hallmarks of Fattoush is the addition of toasted pita bread (Lebanese Bread). Chop the pita into bite-sized pieces, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with sumac, salt, pepper and sesame seeds and toast until golden and crisp. The toasted pita adds a satisfying crunch and a subtle nuttiness to the salad.
4. Fattoush Salad Dressing: The crowning glory of Fattoush Salad is its tangy pomegranate dressing. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, salt, and pepper to create a dressing that’s both zesty and refreshing.
Bringing It All Together:
To assemble your Fattoush Salad, simply toss together the crisp vegetables, fragrant herbs, and toasted pita bread in a large bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat everything evenly. Allow the salad to marinate for a few minutes to allow the flavours to meld together.
Serving Suggestions:
Fattoush Salad is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of dishes. Serve it as a refreshing side dish alongside grilled meats, kebabs, or falafel.
Potential Additions for a Fattoush Salad:
Although perfect as it is, other potential additions that go well in this Crunchy Fattoush Salad are:
- Fresh pomegranate, this provides a tart, fresh element that complements the pomegranate molasses in the dressing
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Delicious salty olives
- Alternatively, enjoy it as a light and satisfying meal on its own, topped with grilled chicken or chickpeas for added protein.
Final Thoughts:
In every bite of Fattoush Salad, you’ll taste the vibrant flavours of the Mediterranean – the crispness of fresh vegetables, the fragrance of aromatic herbs, and the tanginess of the dressing. It’s a celebration of simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create something truly extraordinary.
So, next time you’re craving a taste of the Mediterranean, whip up a batch of Fattoush Salad, trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked!
Happy Cooking!
Fattoush Salad
Ingredients
Fattoush Salad Dressing
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
- 1 pinch salt and pepper
Toasted Pita (Lebanese Bread)
- 1 lebanese or pita bread
- 1 tsp sumac
- 1 pinch salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Salad
- 1 cos or romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cucumber (small) chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
- 3 purple radish (small) thinly sliced
- 1 cup parsley leaves picked
- ½ cup mint leaves picked
Instructions
Salad Dressing
- Combine, olive oil, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, salt and pepper in a small jug or bowl and stir until well combined.
Toasted Pita Bread
- Pre heat a fan forced oven to 180℃
- Cut pita into bite size pieces.
- In a large bowl combine pita pieces, sumac, salt, pepper, sesame seeds and olive oil and mix until all the pita pieces are well coated.
- Line a baking tray with baking paper and lay the pita pieces in an even layer.
- Bake in the pre heated oven for 10 minutes or until pita is golden brown and then allow to cool on the tray.
Salad
- In a large salad bowl combine, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, onions, radishes and herbs. Toss until all ingredients and well combined.
To Serve
- Top your salad with the pita bread and a generous serving of dressing, toss and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Looking for more salad inspo? Check out these Beautiful Salads
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