I am half-Arab and I must say that this recipe is as close as it gets to the authentic. I did make a few changes: I first sliced the pita into two faces cut them into small squares (much nicer for presentation) threw them all in a tupperware container added about 2 tablespoons olive oil and a good amount of salt and shook it all up. I then spread the pieces onto a flat cookie pan and baked in the oven for about 10 mins. You can literally eat them as chips when they're done! I always make more as we all like to load them onto our salads! I also run the dressing through a small blender when I'm done because I prefer it smooth expecially when I'm using fresh herbs. If you can let the dressing sit in the fridge for an hour or two so the flavours can blend well.
This salad was a big hit at a luncheon where I served it. Everyone went back for seconds and also requested the recipe. Very attractive. I ordered sumac powder from Penzeys Spice Company for this. If you like ethnic/Mediterranean food you'll love this!
This is my favorite recipe for fatoosh salad. Sumac has a sort of lemony taste to it -- very zesty. Everyone loves this salad and people always ask for the recipe after tasting it. I usually make it the day before (pita I make just before serving the salad). I also nuke the garlic for 8-10 seconds before adding. Sumac is hard to find but you can get it online at this great spice site: http://www.kalustyans.com. Thanks Winna!
This recipe is great. It really does taste like it came from a restaurant. If you use the "greek style" pitas they seem to hold up better and not get mushy.
My boyfriend(who is from the middle east) said this is the best salad he had ever had in his entire life! The sumac really enhances this salad. I will definately use this recipe often.
if u make this a couple hours before a party make sure to add the pita pieces immediately before serving!! or i was thinking you could even serve it separately and guests can add pieces as they wish and they're still cruncy! one thing what the heck is sumac powder?? couldnt find it anywhere....
This salad is very authentic. The only change I made was omitting the green onions I used regular white onions instead. The recipe is exactly like the one in my middle eastern cookbook and all my arab friends loved it! Be sure and put the pita bread in right before serving.
Really really good. Try to keep find sumac if you can as it definitely adds to the unique taste of this salad. As for the pita chips: what I did was rub the tops of the pitas with olive oil and then sprinkle them with garlic sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Toast for 10 minutes or until golden brown. The oil and seasonings make the pitas turn out extra crispy and tasty.
This was delicious. Eat it as a salad with the toasted pita pieces or fill an untoasted pita with the salad mixture for a wonderful vegetarian sandwich.
Did I just not make this right? The dressing is too sour. Maybe I'll try it again in the summer when I have fresh parsley & mint...therefore the 2 stars because I didn't have the fresh ingredients. But no rush.
