Fattoush (Lebanese Salad)

 

          Fattoush is an easy-to-whip-up classic Mediterranean salad that is very much a part of an Arabic meal. It is a mix of seasonal veggies and a handful of coriander and mint leaves. Besides, a mandatory few pieces of toasted khubz / pita bread is added to the end product along with a drizzle of olive oil and sumac dressing. Sumac is a tangy Arabic spice made of dried berries that is used in this salad. So check out my step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this simple, comforting & refreshing one-pot meal.

          Besides the veggies that I have used, you can also add in radish and spring onion as per availability.  This is very much popular in the whole of UAE and is served in all local restaurants. 

          The word "Fattoush" is derived from the word "fatteh" which in Arabic means crumbs. This basically refers to any leftover khubz / pita bread that are cut into small pieces, toasted in olive oil till crunchy and then added to the salad. So this bread is the star ingredient in this salad. 

          Fattoush salad recipe differs from home to home, restaurant to restaurant and from one Middle Eastern country to another. However, the base of the salad remains basically the same - cucumber, tomato, capsicum and lettuce, apart from pita and sumac. 

Ingredients - 

• 1 small cucumber, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1/2 capsicum, chopped
• 1/2 cup red & yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 5-6 olives, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• handful of lettuce, torn into small pieces
• handful of mint & coriander leaves, chopped
• 1-2 pita bread / khubz bread, cubed
• 1 tbsp. olive oil

Salad Dressing - 

• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. sumac powder / powdered dry pomegranate seeds
• 1 tsp. lime juice
• 1/4 tsp. pepper powder
• 1-2 garlic cloves, grated / crushed
• 1/2 tsp. red chili flakes
• pinch of salt

          For the dressing, in a small bowl, mix together all the mentioned ingredients and keep aside. 

          Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil and toast the cubed khubz bread till crisp. Keep aside.

          In a large bowl, combine all the chopped veggies, olives, lettuce, coriander and mint leaves. 

          While serving, drizzle the salad dressing and add the toasted bread to the salad and give it a mix. Spoon into individual bowls and enjoy. 

                                  All the chopped veggies.

                      For the salad dressing, in a small bowl, mix together all the mentioned 

                      ingredients and keep aside. 

                              In a large bowl, combine all the chopped veggies, olives, lettuce,

                                  coriander and mint leaves. 

                                  While serving, drizzle the salad dressing.

                      Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil & toast the cubed khubz bread till crisp. Keep aside.

Add the toasted bread to the salad and give it a mix. 

                                 Spoon into individual bowls and enjoy.  

Zaatar Macaroni - Fusion Style

          Here is a delicious macaroni cooked in the Italian-Mediterranean fusion style, where I have used zaatar and sumac - local Middle Eastern spices. It can be prepared in a jiffy and can be had as an evening tea-time snack. This flavorful dish can also be had as a light breakfast or can be packed for a lunch box meal too.

• 1/2 cup macaroni, boiled al dente
• 2 tbsp. spring onions, chopped
• 3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. zaatar powder (Mediterranean spice mix)
• 1/2 tsp. sumac powder (Mediterranean spice mix)
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. pepper powder
• few olives (opt)

          Heat oil in a pan and sauté the garlic till it changes colour. Then add the onions and fry till translucent.

          Now add the boiled macaroni, pepper, salt, zaatar and sumac. Stir for a minute or two. Serve, garnished with chopped spring onions and olives.