Lebanese fattoush salad – Authentic recipe
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Filled with nutrients, and full of flavors, you must try this authentic Lebanese fattoush salad. You can never resist your cravings when you are served this delicious treat!
First, let’s agree that Lebanese Fattoush salad, is one of the most delicious salads that you will ever eat. Filled with nutrients, and full of flavors, you can never resist your cravings when you are served this delicious treat! No matter how many times we prepare Lebanese fattoush at home, we are never fed up with it. Putting the ingredients of this quick easy recipe together in no time is a joy by itself and we always serve it whenever we are looking for healthy dinner ideas for the family.
The combination of the range of chopped veggies, fresh herbs such as watercress and mint, the crispy pita bread tossed in sumac, and the delicious pomegranate dressing with its special ingredient, makes this authentic Lebanese fattoush recipe irresistible.
What is a typical Lebanese fattoush salad made of?
I take pride when I say that fattoush salad originates from the northern area of Lebanon, where I proudly come from. At earlier ages, people used to prepare their fattoush salad by chopping any season vegetables available and topping them with fried pita bread leftovers. Finally, add a tangy juicy sauce and serve.
Therefore, if you visit Lebanon and order a fattoush salad, you may find that a few ingredients may vary depending on the season. Although nowadays, some ingredients are imported and made available throughout the year.
So, an authentic Lebanese fattoush salad includes the following vegetables: tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, bell pepper, radish, onions, and pomegranate seeds.
It also includes the following herbs: mint, parsley, green onion, and watercress.
Along with all the above, it is served coated with a delicious tangy juicy dressing and topped with fried pita bread.
How to make fattoush dressing?
The dressing of a Lebanese fattoush salad is what makes this salad irresistible. However, there is a secret ingredient that I always add to this recipe which makes its dressing juicy and tangy at the same time:
– Olive oil: Please make sure to use extra virgin olive oil. It is the best.
– Lemon juice: Avoid using those bottled juices that you can find in the stores. Always opt for freshly squeezed lemon.
– Pomegranate molasses: I added an amount to the dressing, then drizzle a bit over the vegetables and pita bread.
– Sumac: for an added citrus flavor.
– Garlic: Freshly minced garlic not garlic powder.
– Apple cider vinegar, the secret ingredient: Believe it or not, a tsp of this vinegar will turn your salad into an iconic Lebanese fattoush.
How to make fattoush?
- Chop the vegetables: if you want to feel the texture and crispiness of all the vegetables, then you would better cut them into small dice. I like to chop as well the lettuce thinly, like 0.5 cm thick.
- Add the herbs: I am not pro-chopping the herbs. I prefer to keep the leaves as I add them to the fattoush.
- Make the dressing: in a bowl, combine minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, sumac, salt, pomegranate molasses, and vinegar. My go is to keep a little amount of pomegranate molasses and sumac to drizzle and sprinkle on top of the salad.
- Prepare the bread: The authentic Lebanese fattoush salad calls for frying the pita bread. I love as well sometimes to coat it with olive oil and zaatar and bake it in the oven.
- Mix the fattoush: in a bowl, add the vegetables, herbs, and dressing and mix to combine. Then cover them with pita bread. Finally, drizzle a little pomegranate molasses and sprinkle sumac on top and serve.
FAQs about fattoush:
Can you make the salad ahead of time?
Sure. You can chop the vegetables a day before and store them in the fridge in an air-tight container. It is preferably not to prepare the herbs ahead of time, nor chop onions. Onions will differ in texture and flavors while mint leaves will darken in color.
You can prepare the dressing ahead of time as well, but do not add it to the vegetables until it is serving time.
Should pita bread be fried or baked?
Both would work. You can deep fry the pita bread cuts or bake them. I love spraying olive oil and sprinkling sumac or zaatar over them then baking them in the oven for a healthier option.
What do you serve with this salad?
Fattoush is a Lebanese mezze salad that is usually served next to shish tawook or grilled meat platter along with hummus, moutabbal, fries, and other mezze options.
You can serve it as well next to any Mediterranean dish of your choice.
Can you omit the pomegranate molasses?
Yes, you can. Although the flavor will not be the same.
More salad recipes? Check out these:
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Ingredients
- 1 Romaine lettuce head
- 2 tomatoes
- 1 cucumber
- 1 bel pepper
- 5 radishes
- One small onion
- A handful of parsley leaves
- Bunch of watercress leaves
- A handful of mint leaves
- 3 tbsps. of chopped green onions
- 1 small pomegranate
Dressing:
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- ¼ cup lemon squeeze
- ¼ cup pomegranate molasses + 1 tbsp.
- 3 tbsps. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1tsp. apple cider vinaigrette
- 1 tbsp. sumac + ½ tsp
- 1 loaf of pita bread, cut and baked or fried
Instructions
- Chop into small dice the tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and radish.
- Cut the onion into wings.
- Chop the lettuce into 0.5 cm thickness.
- Transfer the vegetables into a salad bowl.
- Add pomegranate seeds, watercress, parsley, and mint leaves.
- Cut the pita bread into cubes or any other preferred shape.
- Spray with olive oil and cover with sumac or zaatar. Alternatively, deep fry them for a few minutes until they become gold crisp.
- Prepare the dressing: in a bowl, mix garlic, lemon squeeze, olive oil, pomegranate molasses, salt, apple cider vinaigrette, and sumac.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat them well.
- Cover the salad with pita bread.
- Drizzle the tbsp. of pomegranate molasses and sprinkle the ½ tsp. of sumac.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure to use fresh, ripe vegetables and herbs.
- Sumac is an essential ingredient that will add a different flavor to your fattoush.
- Make sure to use extra-virgin olive oil. This salad is about the freshness and goodness of its ingredients.
- Avoid tossing the pita bread with the dressing so that it remains crispy.
Nutrition
Calories: 324 kcal per serving | Serving size: 1 bowl | Number of servings: 2
Total Fat 22 g | Saturated Fat 3 g | Cholesterol 0 mg | Sodium 1355 mg | Potassium 399 mg | Total Carbohydrate 33 g | Dietary Fiber 2 g | Sugars 29 g | Protein 1 g | Vitamin A: 36% | Vitamin C: 2% | Calcium: 4% | Iron: 7%
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
1 Comment
Thanks a lot