Fattoush (Lebanese Bread Salad with Sumac)
Local name: فتوش
In short: Crisp romaine, tomato, cucumber and herbs tossed with toasted pita and a sumac, lemon and pomegranate molasses dressing. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 345 kcal
Fattoush is the Lebanese answer to leftover bread: pita is torn, toasted until crisp and tossed into a bowl of garden vegetables just before serving. The dressing of lemon, olive oil, garlic, sumac and a spoonful of pomegranate molasses gives it a tart, fruity edge. Serve it right away so the bread keeps its crunch, or add the pita at the table.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Toss the pita pieces with the 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tsp sumac on a baking tray. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp. Let cool completely.
- Whisk the lemon juice, olive oil, pomegranate molasses, 1 tbsp sumac, garlic, salt and dried mint in a small bowl.
- Put the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, scallions, parsley and mint in a large bowl.
- Pour over the dressing and toss well. Add the toasted pita, toss once more and serve immediately.
Tips
- Bake or fry the bread until fully crisp and cool before adding it, or it will turn soft. Toss in the pita last and serve within 10 minutes.
- Purslane (baqleh) is the traditional summer green, so add a handful if you find it. If you have no sumac, add lemon zest, though sumac gives the true tartness.
Questions and answers
What is sumac?
A deep-red spice made from the dried, ground berries of the sumac shrub. It tastes lemony and is sold in Middle Eastern shops and many supermarkets.
Can I make fattoush ahead of time?
Prepare the vegetables, dressing and toasted bread separately up to 4 hours ahead, then combine just before serving.
Can I use bread other than pita?
Yes. Any flatbread works, and stale bread can be cubed and baked until crisp.
How long does it take to make Fattoush (Lebanese Bread Salad with Sumac)?
About 35 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fattoush (Lebanese Bread Salad with Sumac)?
About 345 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 33 g of carbohydrates and 21 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 345 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 33 g |
| Fat | 21 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
