Fattoush Salad

Fattoush Salad

A staple salad dish among the Middle Eastern culture, Fattoush is a refreshing and tasty salad that can be enjoyed in any season, but is most popular on hot summer days.

The secret ingredient in this salad is a mix called "Sumac" which is a red spice that provides a tart taste to the dish and gives it a bright reddish color.

Fattoush is a Levantine salad made from toasted or fried pieces of khubz (pita bread) combined with mixed greens and other vegetables, such as radishes (if preferred) and tomatoes. Fattoush is popular among all communities in the Middle East.

Ingredients

• 1 cup very crisp toasted bread (preferably Lebanese pita bread), cubed and sprinkled with a little water

• 4 small cucumbers or 2 cups shredded lettuce, or half of each

• 2 medium tomatoes

• 1/2 of 1 green pepper, finely chopped

• 1/2 cup finely chopped spring onions

• 1/2 cup finely chopped parsley

• 1/4 cup finely chopped mint

• Sumac spice to color and taste as preferred

• 1 cup Salad Dressing

Salad Dressing

• 1/2 cup lemon juice

• 1/2 cup olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Place all the ingredients in a bowl and toss well.

2. Sprinkle the Sumac spice lightly and toss again. Continue adding until the salad is a preferred color and taste, but do not put too much!

3. Add salad dressing and toss again.

4. Add salt and lemon juice to taste.