Fattoush is a refreshing Middle Eastern salad that combines a variety of fresh vegetables, herbs, and toasted pieces of pita bread. Here’s a simple Fattoush recipe for you:

Fattoush Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• 1 cup tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 cup radishes, sliced
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

For the Dressing:

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon sumac (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Pita Chips:

• 2 whole wheat pita breads, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

Making the Pita Chips:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, toss the pita pieces with olive oil, ground cumin, and a pinch of salt.
3. Spread the pita pieces on a baking sheet and bake for about 10-12 minutes or until golden and crisp. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning.
4. Remove from the oven and let them cool.

Assembling the Salad:

1. In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, diced cucumber, tomatoes, radishes, red bell pepper, red onion, mint leaves, and parsley.
2. Add the cooled pita chips to the salad.

Making the Dressing:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, sumac (if using), salt, and pepper.
2. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything gently to combine.
3. Allow the salad to sit for a few minutes to let the flavors meld.

Serving:

1. Serve the Fattoush immediately, allowing each person to mix their portion to keep the pita chips crisp.
2. Enjoy the Fattoush as a refreshing side dish or a light meal.