Fattoush
Fattoush is a very fresh and bright salad usually served alongside a protein to help cut the fat. I love it next to a piece of grilled or whole fish, or roasted chicken. But it also goes well with beef or lamb. Pro tip: Let the juices that drip to the bottom of the salad serve as extra dressing for whatever you're eating next to it. If I wanted to eat it on its own, I would add some feta cheese for a little more substance, and perhaps cut down the salt in the dressing.
The best way to mix fattoush is with your hands. I like to add the croutons to the salad only when I’m ready to dress so that they don’t get too soggy, but these croutons are great once they’ve absorbed a little dressing. The salad should have a vinegary bite to it. After you mix the salad you should always taste and adjust the dressing to your liking. I can never have enough salt.
Have you made this yet? Let us know how it went in the comments below!
hearts romaine lettuce
small seedless cucumbers, such as Persian
cherry or campari tomatoes
freshly chopped mint leaves
freshly chopped parsley
thinly sliced red onion
thinly sliced green onions, white and light green parts only
medium radishes
thin pita bread
fresh lemon juice
red wine vinegar
balsamic vinegar
kosher salt
extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for pita
- Make salad: Preheat oven to 350°. Meanwhile, chop romaine, cucumbers, tomatoes, and radishes into 1/2" pieces. (It's important to cut these veggies to roughly the same size.) Place in a large serving bowl.
- Make croutons: Open pita along the seam and stack onto one another. Roll pita and thinly slice, as if you were trying to get a nice chiffonade. Place on a large baking sheet and lightly coat in a little oil and kosher salt. Toast in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until golden.
- Make dressing: In a medium bowl whisk together lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, kosher salt, and oil until combined. (No need to emulsify!)
- Add dressing to romaine mixture and toss to combine, then top with toasted pita.
