Fattoush Salad

Fattoush salad (pronounced like fat-tush, no offense) is a Lebanese salad that is sort of a combination of Israeli salad and Italian Panzanella salad. What makes this salad so good are the garlic rubbed pita croutons that are placed in the salad and that absorb the juice of the tomatoes and the dressing. I was in the supermarket this week and for the first time in months found tomatoes that looked like tomatoes should look like and not like turnips. ONLY make this salad with beautifully ripe tomatoes because their flavor is crucial to the salad. Fattoush salad is traditionally enhanced with the spice Sumac but since I don't particularly like it I left it out but feel free to add some to the dressing or sprinkle it over the salad. Feta is not typically used in this salad but since I had some lying around I threw it in and it was delicious. Enjoy!

1 head Romaine Lettuce, chopped
2 cucumbers, chopped
2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 small red onion, sliced
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 Tbl chopped mint (optional)
1/3 cup Feta cheese or Bulgarian cheese, crumbled (optional)
2 pitas
1 large clove of garlic

Split the pitas in half and toast them in a toaster or in the oven till golden. While they are still warm, rub one side with the clove of garlic. Cut the pita into pieces. Place the lettuce, vegetables and herbs in a bowl and top with the feta cheese. Dress the salad and top with the pita.

For the dressing:
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 lemons, juiced
1/2 cup olive oil
salt and pepper

Whisk all together until emulsified and pour over the salad.