"Fattoush Fetish"

Every Middle-Eastern girl I know has a Fattoush recipe she holds dearly in her heart, "adopted" from grandma or mom.
No two recipes are the same...and they all taste good. I am lost as to which one to follow, so I make my own.

I find Fattoush salad very "addictive", just can't get enough of them. Refreshingly citrusy from Sumac and lemon juice, mildly fragrant from the olive oil, cumin, garlic, parsley and mint.
Oh I have added chilli powder as well. Its a cold cold world and I needed some warmth :).  If you detest chillis, leave them out.

Ingredients for my version of "Fattoush Salad":
Toasted flat bread (Middle-Eastern) or pita, break into small pieces
Some lettuce leaves, torn or chopped into bite pieces
1 chopped cucumber
1 chopped tomato
1 chopped capsicum
1/2 sliced onion
2 chopped spring onions
5 green olives
5 kalamata olives
1 tablespoon chopped mint leaves
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 clove garlic, crushed with a pinch of salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon sumac
1/2 teaspoon chilli powder

Mix everything in a large bowl. For best results, use your hands.
Serve the salad with more crispy toasted bread.
I eat this with anything from fish to meat, even good on its own.
This time I have it with some rice, courtesy of my friend Sakura from Kabob Station at : http://www.kabobstation.wordpress.com/



Kofta & Chips

Kofta and Chips are my favourite snack. The Kofta is "Turkish-inspired". It is super simple to make and I can eat loads of them.

Ingredients for Kofta:
500g Minced lamb
1 Onion - grated
2 Garlic cloves - grated
1  teaspoon ground Cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground Ginger
1 teaspoon Paprika
1 teaspoon Chilli powder
2  tablespoons minced fresh Mint
2 tablespoons minced Parsley
1 tablespoon Sumac
 1 egg
Salt & Pepper to taste

Mix all the ingredients well in a big bowl. Shape the mix into small oval patties.
Brush them with olive oil and grill them about 10 minutes on each side turning once.
I stuffed them in a pita with Harissa and Tahini and ate them with fried potato chips.
You may also serve them with yoghurt, couscous, rice or salad.