Lebanese salad that may refer to any salad recipe from Lebanon, is generally characterized by the generous use of meat, seafood, and vegetables dressed in oil, vinegar or lemon juice.
History of Lebanese Salads
Lebanon was ruled by a range of foreign powers and this influenced the cuisine and the dishes that were prepared in the state. From 1516 to 1918, Lebanon was controlled by the Turks and most of the earlier Lebanese salads were Turkish in origin. In 1918, the French invaded Lebanon and introduced classic French cooking styles and ingredients, that are still followed today.
Lebanese Salad Recipe Overview
Fresh fruits, vegetables, fish and seafood are a common part of the Lebanese salad recipes. Meat and poultry is used too. Most vegetarian and non-vegetarian salads are dressed with garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper dressings. Salad greens and vegetables are usually served raw or pickled in the salads. Spices like cumin, sumac, zatar, coriander, saffron, and ginger are used along with the local herbs like oregano, rosemary and parsley.
Serving Lebanese Salad
Lebanese salads can be consumed hot or cold as appetizers or main dishes. Salads are usually accompanied with meat dishes, flat breads, and dips like hummus, garlic mayonnaise, moutabal, and baba ganoush.
Popular Lebanese Salad Recipe Variations
- Ackawi is white salty cheese that is served as a salad with fresh greens.
- Tabbouleh is an authentic Lebanese salad prepared by mixing soaked burghul, mint, parsley, onions, tomatoes and celery. The salad is dressed with a mix of olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.
- Fattoush is Lebanese bread crumb salad, arranged by mixing crumbed bread with diced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, parsley, mint and baqli leaves. The salad is dressed with garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, green pepper and salt.
- Salatit El Malfouf is a raw cabbage salad that is dressed with salt, lemon juice, olive oil and mashed garlic.
- Salatit El Kama or truffle salad is a gourmet salad prepared mixing sliced truffles with scallions, parsley, salt and pepper.
- Salatit Khyaar Bi Laban is a diced cucumber salad that is mixed with thick buttermilk or laban. Crushed garlic or mint may be added to the dish as a flavoring ingredient. This salad is usually served cold.
- Salatit Hummus Maslouq or chickpean salad uses boiled chickpeas and lentils as the base for the salad. The chickpeas and lentils are mashed with garlic, olive oil, and salt.
- Keshké salad is a traditional Lebanese salad made by mixing dried yoghurt with bulgur. Cumin, garlic, lemon juice, toasted pecans and walnuts are added to the salad just before serving.
