SAEDNEWS: Fattoush salad is a delicious Arabic and Lebanese salad made with scallions, cucumbers, tomatoes, and crispy pita bread. It’s a highly flavorful dish and an excellent choice for family gatherings and parties.
Fattoush is one of the well-known Mediterranean salads that originated in Lebanon and has found its way to tables around the world. The preparation of fattoush, like most Lebanese salads, is very simple. The name "fattoush" comes from pita bread and literally means "bread salad." In northern Lebanon, farmers would fry leftover or stale bread in olive oil to add flavor, then mix it with readily available vegetables to create a salad. Fried bread was added to enhance the dish, which is why the vegetables used in fattoush are varied and can be customized.
The primary ingredients for fattoush salad are cucumber, tomato, lettuce, radish, and pita bread. However, depending on individual tastes, other vegetables are often added for additional aroma and flavor.
Lettuce: 1 head
Cherry tomatoes: 1 cup
Cucumbers: 2
Red onion: ½
Fresh mint leaves: ½ cup
Pita bread: 2 pieces
Olive oil: ¼ cup
Salt: As needed
Garlic powder: ¼ teaspoon
Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons
Honey: 1 tablespoon
Sumac: 1 teaspoon
Salt and pepper: As needed
Olive oil: ⅓ cup
Prepare the Bread:
Tear the pita bread into pieces and place them in a bowl. Sprinkle with olive oil and a pinch of salt, tossing to coat evenly. Spread the bread pieces on a baking tray. Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and bake the bread for 10-15 minutes until crispy and golden.
Make the Dressing:
In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, honey, garlic powder, sumac, salt, and pepper. Stir until well mixed. Gradually add olive oil while continuously whisking to create a smooth and uniform dressing.
Prepare the Vegetables:
Chop the lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the red onion. Place all the vegetables, along with the washed and dried mint leaves, into a large mixing bowl.
Assemble the Salad:
Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
Add the Crispy Bread:
Top the salad with the crispy pita bread pieces and serve immediately to maintain the crunchiness of the bread.
Fattoush, also known as "futoush" or "fattush," is a popular salad with Arabic and Turkish roots. While categorized as a Lebanese or Arabic salad, it originates from Ottoman culinary traditions. Fattoush combines fresh vegetables with toasted bread and, in some cases, grilled chicken breast. When prepared with chicken, fattoush can be a light, diet-friendly dinner option.
This salad’s vegetable combination is versatile, often featuring tomatoes, radishes, and toasted bread pieces. Seasonal vegetables can be substituted based on availability. For the dressing, sumac is typically mixed with other ingredients, and in some variations, pomegranate molasses is used for a tangy flavor.
