If I were to pick one type of cuisine that is my all time favorite- I think It would have to be Lebanese. I absolutely love all the crunchy vegetables and fresh herbs that go into each salad. When it comes to protein dishes- the spices are unique, and the flavour profiles full of depth.

The only downside is that all that deliciousness comes at a cost. Preparation of Lebanese meals is labor intensive and time consuming! BUT, after what feels like a LOT of trial and error I think I stumbled upon the right combination of ingredients to make Fattoush salad as delicious as possible, as easy as possible! Ha ha!

A few tips to achieve the best results:

• Save your Lebanese cuisine for days when you are not in a rush
• Aim to give your dishes some time (aka a few hours) to “marinade” so that the flavors meld
• Use fresh herbs if possible
• You will also need to source “Sumac” – it is crucial for this recipe but a little tricky to find. Check Middle Eastern Grocery stores or Williams Sonoma online!

Now for the recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup radishes, thinly sliced
• 1 Pepper, chopped
• 1/2 small red onion, peeled and thinly-sliced
• 1/2 cup coarsely-chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 cup coarsely-chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (leaves only, no stems)
• 1/2 tsp Ground Sumac
• 1 Head Romaine Lettuce, finely chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 English cucumber, thinly-sliced
• 2 Pitas, roughly chopped and lightly toasted

Dressing:

• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice, or more to taste
• 1-2 cloves garlic, pressed
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground Sumac
• black pepper to taste

Method:

1. Prepare your herbs and veggies- this is the time consuming part!
2. In a large bowl, mix the radish, pepper, onion, mint and parsley together
3. Add a dash of salt, pepper and 1/2 tsp of Sumac, then let mixture sit for a few hours if possible so that the flavours can meld.
4. Mix the dressing, and set aside
5. Right before eating, lightly toast the pita bread
6. Add the lettuce and cucumber to the salad bowl
7. Top with dressing, garnish with pita chips and ENJOY!