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Middle Eastern cuisine always amazes me due to its rich flavors and aromas. From juicy kebabs to the savory goodness of hummus, it’s a gastronomic journey that’s hard to forget. But, if a dish truly captures the essence of Middle Eastern cuisine, it’s the Arabic salad. The refreshing and colorful salad is a delicious blend of fresh veggies, fragrant herbs, and bold spices, making it a perfect vegan potluck idea. Other Arabic Salads, we’ve tried are Lebanese Fattoush Salad, and Shirazi Salad.
To add a twist to this flavorful salad, combine it with two other Middle Eastern classics – baba ghanoush and falafel. The smoky eggplant flavors of baba ghanoush and the crunchy texture of falafel pair beautifully with the refreshing Arabic salad. This article will provide an overview of the recipe for Arabic salad and some tips for making it.
Why Would You Like Arabic Salad?
Healthy: Arabic salad is low in calories and contains a variety of fresh vegetables and herbs rich in vitamins and minerals. It is a great way to get lots of nutrition while controlling your calorie intake.
Versatile: Arabic salad is easily customized with various vegetables, herbs, and seasonings. You can also vary the ingredients to keep the salad exciting and flavorful.
Easy to Make: Arabic salad is incredibly easy to make. All you need is some fresh vegetables, herbs, and a few seasonings, and you’re good to go.
Great for Parties: Arabic salad makes a great side dish for parties and gatherings. They’re easy to make, and you can make a big batch in advance.
Delicious: It is incredibly flavorful and delicious. The right combination of ingredients can be a great way to enjoy a light and healthy meal.
Ingredients For Arabic Salad
Here is the list of ingredients that you will need to make the irresistible Arabic salad;
- 4 tsp of vegetable oil
- 500g chickpeas
- 2 pcs red bell pepper
- 1 tbsp of pomegranate sauce
- 4 pickled cucumbers
- 1 red onion
- Bunch of green onion
- ¾ cup chopped parsley
- 2 tbsp extra virgin oil
- 1.5 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Finely chopped dill
- Finely chopped cilantro
- Kosher salt and pepper according to taste
Ingredients Notes And Alternative Ingredients
Here are some ingredients tips that you will need for the perfect making of the Arabic salad;
Cucumber: You can use your pickled cucumber and ensure that these vegetables are fresh and crunchy. You can also use English cucumber if you don’t have pickled cucumber.
Chickpeas: Soak them in warm water overnight and boil them 2-3 in an open vessel. You can boil a pressure cooker or steamer for 20 minutes before adding them to the salad. Ensure they are excellent at room temperature. You can also use corn instead of chickpeas.
Red pepper: If you add red bell pepper, it will give a sweet flavor and also looks good in the salad. You can also use other pepper types if you like their flavor more.
Tomatoes: You can use tomatoes as an option to add more flavor. Roma tomatoes are the most famous, and middle eastern countries use them the most. If you have regular tomatoes, vine tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes, you can use them as well.
Onions: Take finely sliced spring; you can also take diced red onions or shallots to add a perfect variation.
Chilies: Adding chilies is optional; you can add 2 medium-sized chilies to add subtle heat to the salad. If you like spicy, you can add chili and vice versa.
Olive oil: Ensure adding extra virgin olive, and don’t compromise on the oil quality you are using.
Parsley: You need to add a healthy dose of fresh parsley, and don’t forget to add this essential ingredient to the Arabic dish. If you like its taste more, add cilantro instead of parsley.
Lemon: Salads are rejuvenized by adding lemon; you need to add lemon to give zest balance and make the salad perfect.
Expert Tips to Make the Best Arabic Salad
- Add fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, bell peppers, or radishes.
- You can add herbs such as mint, parsley, or cilantro for additional flavor.
- Include protein such as grilled or baked chicken, beef, or lamb.
- Add some crunchy elements like toasted nuts or crispy pita chips.
- Drizzle with a homemade dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of sumac, a tangy Middle Eastern spice.
How To Make Arabic Salad?
Here is the step-by-step guide to making this most straightforward and most delicious Arabic salad that you can make instantly;
Step 1: Preparing the Salad Ingredients
Please take all the vegetables, including pickled cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, and dill, and chop them finely. Keep on adding them one by one in a large bowl. Add olive oil to the recipe and give them a quick mix. Also, add salt and pepper according to the taste and ensure serving the dish with some main course meal that has rice and meat
Step 2: Making the Salad Dressing
It’s time to make the dressing; take a jar or bowl and add 2 tbsp of olive oil, and add 1 tsp of pomegranate molasses and 2 tbsp of lemon juice. You can also add some salt if you want to. Mix it well with a spoon. Now add this dressing on top of the salad and mix it thoroughly.
How To Store Arabic Salads?
It is best to consume this salad fresh, but if you have some leftovers, you can also refrigerate it by putting it inside an airtight container. You can keep this salad inside the fridge for 3 days.
After 3 days, the salad won’t become soggy. Still, water from tomatoes and cucumber will start accumulating inside the container, making the whole salad soggy and ruining its flavor and texture completely.
You can pour this water and then serve the salad fresh but ensure using it within three days. You also need to ensure when you take the salad out of the refrigerator, you serve the salad with fresh lemon and new olive oil and toss it a bit to make it fresh and good as new.
How To Freeze Arabic Salad?
To freeze Arabic salad, prepare the salad according to your preferred recipe. Once ready, place the salad in a freezer-safe container or bag. Make sure the container or bag is airtight. Then, label the container or bag with the date and freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw the salad in the refrigerator overnight and enjoy.
Reheating Instructions
If you are reheating Arabic salad, using the oven is the best way. Preheat the oven to 350°F and put the salad in an oven-safe dish. Cover the dish with foil and heat for 15 minutes or till the salad gets heated. Once heated, serve and enjoy!
Alternative Ingredients You May Try for Variation
Arabic salad is versatile; you can make this using many alternative ingredients. Some of them include the following;
- Humus
- Feta cheese
- Pita bread
- Ground cumin
- Garlic
- Green olives
- Beef
- Chicken
- Corn
Alternative Recipes
You can serve this salad as a side or as an appetizer. There are a lot of main courses and other dishes with which you can serve this Arabic salad. Some of these dishes are;
- Calamari Salad
- Kidney Bean Salad
- Crispy middle eastern falafel
- Creamy hummus
- Green tahini sauce
- Spicy middle eastern sauce like Shatta sauce or zhoug
- Rice dishes or hearty stews
- Persian aubergine stew with black limes
- Yogurt flatbread
Frequently Asked Questions
Making an Arabic salad has different benefits. It helps you reduce inflammatory disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, gum disease, colorectal cancer, asthma, and tooth loss. This salad contains all the essential vegetables and helps you fulfill your vitamin and mineral requirements.
All the Arabic salads are known as Fattoush, famous in Middle Eastern countries. This salad is the classic dish to serve on the dining table during dinner. There are different types of salads in Arabic countries, which are frequently present on Arabic dining tables.
Yes, you can make Arabic salad ahead of time by chopping the vegetables and herbs and then storing them in a separate airtight container and keeping them in the fridge. You must ensure that you whisk the salad dressing and store it in a sealed container in the fridge. Now mix the ingredients and wait for 30 minutes before serving.
Authentic Arabic Salad
Ingredients
- 4 tsp vegetable oil
- 500 g chickpeas
- 2 pcs red bell pepper
- 1 tbsp pomegranate sauce
- 4 pickled cucumbers
- 1 red onion chopped
- Bunch of green onion
- ¾ cup chopped parsley
- 2 tbsp extra virgin oil
- 1½ tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Finely chopped dill
- Finely chopped cilantro
- Kosher salt and pepper according to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, chop all vegetables, including lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, and parsley.
- Take a jar and pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tsp of pomegranate molasses, and 2 tsp lemon juice. Mix them well and add this dressing to the top of the salad. The delicious salad is ready to serve.
