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.  

Crispy Grilled Pita / Khubz Chips

          These are nice crispy Pita / Khubz (Arabic Bread) Chips that are grilled to perfection. You can just have them plain or by sprinkling any seasoning of your choice. Both ways they are just perfect as an appetizer or as a tea time snack. 

          You can enjoy them with your favourite dips, hummus , chutney or salsa. They can also replace the papad and can be relished as an accompaniment with your sambar / rasam rice or dal-chawal, a la Indian style.

          I never had any idea that any leftover pita bread can be transformed into such yummy and crispy chips, unless I personally tried them. 

          So it is a perfect comfort snack that goes best with any dip, hummus, chutney or salsa. Any leftover chips can be added to your salad or soup for an interesting fusion food. 

        

           Grilling these pita bread is much simpler and easier than baking them. End result is here for you to see. 

          So if you are looking for some homemade crunchy chips, other than the store bought ones, then these pita bread chips are just perfect. 

          They are also so easy to prepare and completely hassle-free. Enjoy !!

• 3 leftover pita bread / khubz (Arabic Bread)
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• hummus / dip / chutney / salsa to serve

           Cut each pita bread into 8 triangles. 

 

          Place them on a greased baking tray.

          Brush each triangle pieces with olive oil. 

          Grill for 4-5 minutes or till they turn crisp. 

          Serve as an appetizer or snack with hummus / any dip / chutney / salsa.