Fattoush Summer Salad

Fattoush salad is a staple dish across the Middle East, popular for its vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients. This fattoush summer salad combines a vibrant mix of vegetables—cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and red onions—tossed in a zesty lemon fattoush dressing. It’s the perfect salad to serve as a side dish or as a light and refreshing meal on a hot summer day.

Ingredients

• Lemon: Lemons are a type of citrus fruit that are sour and acidic in taste. They are round in shape and have a bright yellow, thick peel that contains fragrant oil.
• Sumac: A spice that comes from the berries of a wild bush that grows in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. The berries undergo drying and grinding to form a coarse powder with a tangy, lemony flavor
• Tahini: A paste made from toasted, ground sesame seeds. Tahini has a nutty, slightly bitter flavor and a creamy texture.
• Extra virgin olive oil: a high-quality, unrefined oil that is extracted from the fruit of the olive tree.
• Fresh mint: Fresh mint, a widely utilized herb in cooking and culinary applications, adds a refreshing and cool taste to various dishes.
• Fresh Parsley: Parsley, a versatile herb, adds fresh flavor to various cuisines worldwide. It serves as a garnish and ingredient, elevating dishes with its herbaceous taste.
• Cucumber: A type of cucumber with a long, slender shape and a smooth, thin, dark green skin. They are typically sold wrapped in plastic to protect their delicate skin and to keep them fresh. In contrast to traditional cucumbers, English cucumbers have small, almost imperceptible seeds. Additionally, they offer a less bitter taste, boasting crisp and juicy flesh with a mild, refreshing flavor.
• Yellow bell pepper: They have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and are often used in salads, soups, stews, and stir-fries. They are low in calories and are a great addition to any healthy diet.
• Grape tomatoes: They are generally sweeter and less acidic than other tomato varieties, with a firm texture and a thin skin.
• Chickpeas: Also known as garbanzo beans, are a type of legume. They have a nutty flavor and a creamy texture, which makes them a versatile ingredient in many dishes. Chickpeas are an excellent source of plant-based protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
• Red onion: A popular ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine due to their distinct flavor, vibrant color, and health benefits.
• Feta: A crumbly texture and a tangy, salty flavor that is often described as sharp or pungent.

What you will need for this recipe:

• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Large spoon
• Cutting board
• Chefs knife

Recipe Tips and FAQs:

What is sumac and what does it taste like?

People commonly use sumac as a spice in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and North African cuisine. It comes from drying and grinding the berries of the sumac plant. Its taste is tangy and sour, reminiscent of lemon with a hint of fruitiness and earthiness. People use sumac to add acidity to dishes, making it a favored seasoning for salads, meats, and vegetables. Additionally, sumac’s vibrant red color adds visual appeal to culinary creations.

What is tahini and what does it taste like?

Tahini, a paste made from ground sesame seeds, finds common usage in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. It has a rich, nutty flavor and a creamy, smooth texture. The taste can vary depending on the brand and the quality of the sesame seeds used, but it generally has a slightly bitter and earthy taste with a hint of sweetness. It finds frequent usage as a base for dips and sauces, like hummus or baba ganoush, and as a dressing for salads and vegetables.

What goes well with this fattoush summer salad

This fattoush summer salad goes well with many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, especially those with grilled meats or fish. A few ideas include grilled chicken, grilled beef or lamb skewers, falafel, grilled halloumi cheese, grilled eggplant, lentil soup, or shakshuka.

Which ingredients commonly compose a Fattoush salad?

A classic Fattoush salad typically consists of a blend of crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, refreshing cucumbers, and tangy radishes, topped with crispy pieces of pita bread. For this fattoush summer salad recipe, I’ve taken inspiration from the traditional dish and added my own personal twist, resulting in a deliciously flavorful salad. This recipe has received resounding success at every occasion I’ve served it, and I am delighted to finally share it with you.

How to store the fattoush summer salad

To prepare in advance, you can dice the vegetables for the summer salad and mix the dressing ingredients separately. When ready to serve, combine the two to maintain the salad’s freshness and crispiness, and to prevent sogginess from the dressing.

For optimal results, store leftover salad with dressing in a large container in the refrigerator and consume within 2-3 days.

Why is it healthy

This fattoush summer salad includes fresh vegetables such as cucumbers, grape tomatoes, red onions, and bell peppers. These vegetables are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which are essential for maintaining good health. The salad also contains protein-rich chickpeas and feta cheese. Protein is important for building and repairing tissues in the body and for maintaining healthy muscles. The dressing includes extra virgin olive oil and tahini, both of which are healthy sources of fat. These healthy fats can help reduce inflammation in the body and improve heart health. Sumac in the dressing provides antioxidants that protect against damage by free radicals. This salad avoids processed or refined foods, promoting overall health and well-being.

You may also enjoy:

• Lebanese Salad
• Peach Ricotta Focaccia
• Baked Lamb Kofta with Yogurt Tahini Sauce
• Red Pepper Pesto
• Watermelon Feta Skewers
• Pink Sauce Recipe

Disclaimer: I am a health and wellness coach with a degree in health science from Arizona State University. However, I am not a doctor or registered dietitian. Any information or advice provided on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any dietary or lifestyle changes, especially if you have a medical condition. The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice or a substitute for it.