Alternative:Fattoush

Fattoush is a Lebanese salad, good for hot weather. The 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.

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

Procedure

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