
Fattoush with Sumac and Pita Croutons
Imagine a Lebanese summer salad that bursts with sunshine, crunch, and tang—this is Fattoush. It's a celebration of ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, fresh mint, and peppery purslane (or arugula), all tossed together with a generous shower of sumac. The soul of the dish lies in the toasted pita croutons, which soak up the zesty lemon-sumac dressing while staying delightfully crunchy. This isn't just a salad; it's a heritage plate that tells stories of family gatherings on breezy terraces. You'll love how the tart sumac plays against the sweet tomatoes and the herbal freshness. Every forkful is a little journey to Beirut. Make this, and you'll taste why Lebanese cuisine is all about vibrant simplicity—no fuss, just incredible flavor.
Ingredients
- pita bread, torn into bite-sized pieces2 large
- olive oil, divided4 tbsp
- sumac, plus extra for garnish2 tbsp
- romaine lettuce, chopped1 large head
- purslane or arugula leaves1 cup
- ripe tomatoes, diced2 medium
- English cucumber, diced1 medium
- green bell pepper, diced1 small
- red onion, thinly sliced1/2 medium
- fresh mint leaves, chopped1/4 cup
- fresh parsley, chopped1/4 cup
- fresh lemon juice3 tbsp
- pomegranate molasses1 tbsp
- salt1/2 tsp
- black pepper1/4 tsp
Nutrition
Directions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). In a bowl, toss torn pita pieces with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of sumac until coated. Spread them on a baking sheet and toast for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp. Set aside to cool—they'll get extra crunchy.
- 2
In a small jar or bowl, make the dressing: whisk together the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, 1 tablespoon sumac, salt, and pepper. Shake or stir until well emulsified. Taste and adjust the tanginess or salt to your liking.
- 3
In a large serving bowl, combine the chopped romaine, purslane (or arugula), tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, mint, and parsley. Toss gently to mix.
- 4
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well, making sure every leaf and vegetable gets a little coating of that beautiful pinkish-red dressing.
- 5
Just before serving, scatter the crispy pita croutons over the top. Add an extra sprinkle of sumac for a dramatic finish. Serve immediately, while the pita still crackles with crunch—this salad waits for no one.
🍽️ Join DishIndex for free
Save recipes, create collections and access Cook Mode.
Reviews
(0)No reviews yet. Be the first to rate this recipe!