Authentic Lebanese Fattoush

Fattoush is a Lebanese salad, good for hot weather. This recipe uses two unusual ingredients: sumac and purslane. Sumac, usually sold ground, is ground red berries and used in Middle Eastern, particularly Lebanese, cooking. Purslane is succulent with a lemony flavor, and makes a nice salad green. I find them at farmer’s markets.

Original recipe makes 4 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons sumac powder
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
1 medium cucumber, diced
2 large tomatoes, diced
4 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 cup chopped purslane
1/2 (5 ounce) package arugula
4 pita rounds, toasted and torn into pieces

PREP

15 mins
COOK

5 mins
READY IN

20 mins

Directions

Mix the water and cornstarch in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until thickened. Remove from heat, and mix in lemon juice, garlic, sumac, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
In a large bowl, toss together the lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, green onions, parsley, mint, bell pepper, purslane, and arugula. Toss with the dressing, and serve with pita.