Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- ½ large head of Romaine lettuce
- 2 medium Persian cucumbers
- 2 medium tomatoes
- 2 green onions (scallions)
- 4 radishes
- ½ green bell pepper (optional)
- Handful fresh mint leaves
- Handful fresh parsley leaves
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium lemon, juiced
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- 1 teaspoon dried mint
- 1 garlic clove, finely grated
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon salt
Pita Chips
- 2 pita bread wraps
- Oil for frying or oil spray
- Salt, for sprinkling
- Optional sprinkle of zaatar
Instructions
- Prepare Lettuce: Wash and chop the romaine lettuce, then dry thoroughly using a salad spinner. For extra crispness, soak the leaves in a bowl of ice water for 10 minutes, then drain well.
- Chop Vegetables and Herbs: Slice the cucumbers into half circles, dice the tomatoes, and chop the green bell pepper if using. Finely slice the green onions and radishes (cut radishes into strips if preferred). Finely chop the parsley and roughly chop the mint leaves.
- Make the Dressing: In a glass jar or small bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, sumac, dried mint, grated garlic, and salt. Whisk or shake well until fully blended.
- Prepare Pita Chips: Cut pita bread into small squares. Fry the pita pieces in a pan with oil over medium heat until golden brown and crispy, then drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and optional zaatar. Alternatively, spray pita squares with olive oil spray, sprinkle salt and zaatar, then bake at 400°F (200°C) in the oven for 7-10 minutes or air fry for 4-5 minutes until crispy.
- Combine Salad: In a large bowl, mix the chopped vegetables, herbs, and half of the crispy pita chips.
- Serve: Just before serving, pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat. Top with the remaining pita chips for an extra crunch. Enjoy as a refreshing side dish to falafel and hummus or as a light meal on its own.
Notes
- Soaking lettuce in ice water helps achieve extra crispness.
- Pita chips can be made by frying, baking, or air frying according to your preference.
- Za’atar adds a lovely Middle Eastern herb flavor but is optional.
- Adjust the salt in the dressing to taste.
- Serve immediately after dressing to keep pita chips crunchy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegetarian
