Recipe | Salad
Fatoush - Vege, Herb and Bread Salad

Fatoush is an Arab salad which includes stale or toasted pita bread. It is a Syrian and Lebanese speciality. Adding the bread just before serving means it is still crisp when put on the table, although originally the idea was for the bread to soak up the dressing so it was mixed in sooner.

2 - 3 small cucumbers (or 1 large cucumber, or even a lettuce), chopped small
3 - 5 firm ripe tomatoes, chopped small
1 medium onion or 3-10 spring onions, chopped small
Up to 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
[Optional] Up to 1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped
[Optional] 1 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves, chopped
[Optional] 1 small capsicum, chopped
[Optional] 1 pomegranate, seeds only
[Optional] 1 small chilli, chopped finely
[Optional] 1 teaspoon sumac *

  • Add to bowl and mix

1 - 2 lemons, juice and grated peel only
1/3 cup olive oil
1 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and Pepper

  • Pour over.
  • Pop in fridge until you're ready to serve

1/2 - 2 pieces stale or toasted pita bread

  • Split the pita
  • Tear pita into bite sized pieces
  • Set aside until you're ready to serve (so they stay crisp) .
  • Add to salad
  • Serve.

* Sumac is a sourish dark browny-red seed which is ground and used to flavour lamb, kebabs, fish, eggs, soups, salted pastries, yoghurt, sauces and vinegar. It is popular in Iran and Iraq, and is sprinkled on salads in Syria and Lebanon. It is also an essential part of the spice mix Za-atar. When soaked in water it produces a lemon-like liquid, which when mixed with mint is used as a drink.