Middle Eastern Salad

Submitted by coconutty

"I adapted this recipe given to me by a Lebanese friend. The amounts shown are only suggestions - adjust them to suit your taste. I did not include lettuce or mixed greens in the ingredient list - sometimes I make the salad with them and sometimes without them. When I don't have fresh mint leaves, I tear open a teabag (of organic peppermint tea) and use part of the contents. Re the sumac: it is a characteristic spice but is sour, so start with a small amount to see if you like it."

 

• Ready In: 15mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Serves: 3-4

ingredients

• 4 tomatoes, diced
• 1 hothouse cucumber, peeled and diced
• 2 avocados, peeled and diced
• sweet bell pepper, cut into small strips (red, green, etc.)
• scallions (green onions) or red onion, chopped
• 3 fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 3 tablespoons cold-pressed olive oil or 3 tablespoons flax seed oil
• 1⁄2 lemon, juice of
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground sumac
• 1⁄8 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

directions

1. Place the vegetables into a salad bowl.
2. Add oil, lemon juice, seasonings, and toss gently.
3. Throw in a handful of raw or toasted sunflower seeds, if desired (optional).
4. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Reviews

[Mrs. Danger_horse]

Loved the combination of textures: soft avocado, juicy tomato, crisp cucumber, frilly lettuce.. really enjoyable salad. I left out the sumac (as I didn't have any) and added mixed lettuce (as per photo). Highly recommended!