This article is about fattoush salad, a flavorful vegetable salad from Lebanese cuisine. It covers:
- What fattoush salad contains
- How to make the salad dressing
- The meaning behind the name “fattoush.”
- Why this salad is healthy and nutritious
Want to learn more about this zesty Arabic dish? Keep reading!
What is Fattoush Salad?
Fattoush is a famous salad that originated in Lebanon. It contains lots of fresh veggies like:
- Lettuce (usually romaine)
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Radishes
- Green peppers
- Green onions
- Parsley
The vegetables get tossed in a tangy vinaigrette dressing with garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and spices like sumac and dried mint.
The Star Ingredient
But fattoush is only complete with fried pita bread pieces sprinkled on top! The crispy pita adds a nice crunch to the salad.
This combination of fresh vegetables, zesty dressing, and crunchy pita makes fattoush flavorful and satisfying.
Making the Dressing
The dressing pulls all the flavours together. Here’s how to make it:
- Mix lemon juice with olive oil (use good quality extra virgin olive oil)
- Add minced garlic cloves
- Stir in spices like sumac and dried mint
- For extra tang, add pomegranate molasses (or balsamic vinegar if you don’t have it)
- Season with salt and pepper
Once the dressing ingredients are blended, drizzle it over the chopped veggies and toss everything together. The flavorful dressing makes the salad taste great!
Where Does “Fattoush” Come From?
You may wonder where this salad gets its fun name. In Arabic, “fattoush” comes from the word “faith,” meaning crumbs or bits.
The name refers to how fattoush contains a little bit of this vegetable and a little bit of that – just lots of fresh ingredients tossed together! Because of this, there’s no strict recipe. You can get creative with what veggies, herbs, or other extras you include.
A Healthy, Tasty Salad
In addition to its great taste, fattoush is nutritious too. It provides:
- Fiber from the veggies and pita
- Vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium are some examples of essential vitamins and minerals.
- Healthy fats from the olive oil
- Antioxidants from herbs and spices like parsley and sumac
The salad makes a light, refreshing side dish. Or add protein like chicken to make it a filling main meal.
No matter how you serve it, fattoush is a flavorful way to eat many fresh, wholesome ingredients. Why not try this Lebanese salad?
What are your favourite types of salads? Have you ever tried fattoush before?
