Fatoush - A delightful salad from the Arabian world

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1-2 large pita bread cut into triangles (if they are a bit stale, all the better)

  • 3 tablespoon olive oil

  • Kosher salt to taste

  • Freshly cracked pepper to taste

  • 1 large head of romaine lettuce chopped

  • 2 large ripe tomatoes diced

  • 1-2 long english cucumbers (Persian cucumbers quartered is traditional)

  • 1 large green pepper chopped

  • 6-8 radishes diced

  • 2 green onions chopped

  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley

Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • juice of one lemon

  • 2 garlic cloves minced

  • 1-2 teaspoon sumac

  • 2-3 teaspoons pomegranate molasses (substitute balsamic glaze, or grape molasses)

  • 1 tablespoon fresh mint (dried if you have no fresh)

  • a good pinch of fine sea salt

  • Fresh cracked black pepper al gusto

  • chopped cilantro for garnish (not traditional, but I love cilantro and it’s my party)

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil on medium heat. Add the pita bread and season with kosher salt and freshly cracker peppers.

  2. Fry the pita for 5-7 minutes until the pieces are crispy and golden in colour. Set the fried bread aside.

  3. In a large bowl, add the salad dressing ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, sumac, pomegranate molasses, mint, salt and pepper. Whisk together until the dressing is emulsified and well blended.

  4. Add the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, radishes, green onions and parsley to the large bowl of dressing and toss to combine.

  5. Add the fried pita bread to the salad immediately before serving and gently toss again and sprinkle with fresh cilantro.

  6. You can make ahead and serve chilled. Set the bread aside until serving however if you do this. Toss in just before serving.

Kristeva Dowling