Cucumber And Mint Salad With Toasted Pitas Recipes

CUCUMBER AND MINT SALAD WITH TOASTED PITAS

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath. Cook green beans in a pot of boiling salted water until bright green and just tender, about 4 minutes. Drain; transfer to ice-water bath, and drain again. Cut into thirds. Toss with mint, cucumber, and lettuce.
• Pour 1/4 cup oil into lemon juice in a slow, steady stream, whisking until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.
• Toast pitas over the flame of a gas burner, turning with tongs, until crisp and blackened in spots. (Alternatively, char in broiler, turning.) Rub with garlic, and brush with remaining 1/4 cup oil. Season with salt. Tear into large pieces. Drizzle dressing over salad; toss to coat. Serve with pitas.

FATTOUSH SALAD WITH MINT DRESSING

Steps:

• To toast the pita: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. On a large, rimmed baking sheet, toss the torn pita with 2 tablespoons olive oil until lightly coated. Sprinkle with salt and bake in the oven until the pieces are very golden and crispy, tossing halfway, 8 to 12 minutes. Set the baking sheet aside to cool.
• To prepare the salad: Make the salad dressing as directed and set aside. In a large serving bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, radish, mint, optional parsley and feta, and toasted pita.
• Wait until you're ready to serve to drizzle up to 1/2 cup dressing over the salad. Gently toss until all of the ingredients are lightly coated in dressing. Serve promptly, and sprinkle individual servings generously with sumac.
• This salad is best consumed soon after making, since the dressing will wilt the lettuce and soften the pita with time. If you intend to have leftovers, store the salad separately from the dressing, and toss individual salads before serving. The salad will keep this way, covered and refrigerated, for up to 4 days.

PITA BREAD SALAD WITH TOMATOES AND CUCUMBER (FATTOUSH) RECIPE - (4/5)

Steps:

• 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Using kitchen shears, cut around perimeter of each pita and separate into 2 thin rounds. Cut each round in half. Place pitas, smooth side down, on wire rack set in rimmed baking sheet. Brush 3 tablespoons oil over surface of pitas. (Pitas do not need to be uniformly coated. Oil will spread during baking.) Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bake until pitas are crisp and pale golden brown, 10 to 14 minutes. Set aside to cool. (Cooled pitas can be stored in zipper-lock bag for 24 hours.) 2. While pitas toast, whisk lemon juice, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt together in small bowl. Let stand for 10 minutes. 3. Place tomatoes, cucumber, arugula, cilantro, mint, and scallions in large bowl. Break pitas into 1/2-inch pieces and place in bowl with vegetables. Add lemon-garlic mixture and remaining 1/4 cup oil and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.