Fattoush (Lebanese Bread Salad)
Fattoush is the salad that makes use of yesterday’s bread. Fresh vegetables and herbs are tossed with crisp pieces of toasted or fried pita and a bright dressing of lemon, olive oil and sumac. The name comes from the Arabic word for crumbled bread.
🧠 Good to know
- Sumac is a deep red spice with a lemony, tangy taste, and it is what gives fattoush its character.
- Add the pita just before serving so it stays crunchy.
- Pomegranate molasses is a popular addition to the dressing.
💚 Why we love it
- Packed with fresh vegetables and herbs.
- A light dish that works as a starter or a side.
- An easy way to use up stale bread.
🥣 Ingredients (serves 4–6)
- 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 3 tomatoes, diced
- 2 Lebanese cucumbers, diced
- 5–6 radishes, sliced
- 3–4 green onions, sliced
- 1 small bunch parsley, chopped
- A handful of fresh mint leaves
- 2 loaves of Lebanese pita, torn into pieces and toasted or fried until crisp
For the dressing:
- Juice of 2 lemons
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1–2 tbsp sumac, plus extra to finish
- 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses (optional)
- Salt to taste
👩🍳 Method
- Toast the pita in a hot oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or fry it in a little olive oil, until golden and crisp. Leave to cool.
- Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, sumac, pomegranate molasses if using, and salt.
- Place the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, green onions, parsley and mint in a large olive wood salad bowl.
- Pour over the dressing and toss gently. Add the crisp pita, toss once more and sprinkle with a little extra sumac.
- Serve straight away, so the bread stays crunchy.
🌿 Serve it on olive wood
A big olive wood salad bowl and a pair of wooden servers are all you need. See our olive wood bowls.
