MIDDLE-EASTERN PITA SALAD

Middle-Eastern Pita Salad image

Yield Serves 2

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 cucumber, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1-1/2 large (7-inch) pita loaves (preferably Mediterranean-style pocketless), cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 tomato, chopped fine
1/4 cup thinly sliced scallion
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint leaves or 2 teaspoons dried, crumbled, plus fresh mint sprigs for garnish
inner leaves of romaine, rinsed and spun dry for garnish

Steps:

In a sieve sprinkle the cucumber with a pinch of salt, let it drain for 20 minutes, and pat it dry. While the cucumber is draining, in a baking pan bake the pita pieces in the middle of a preheated 325°F oven, shaking the pan occasionally, for 18 to 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crisp, and let them cool slightly.
In a large bowl whisk together the oil, the lemon juice, the garlic, and the salt and pepper to taste, whisking until the dressing is emulsified, stir in the bell pepper, the tomato, the scallion, the parsley, the chopped mint, the pita pieces, the cucumber, and more salt and pepper to taste, and toss the salad to combine it well. Transfer the salad to a platter and garnish it with the romaine and the mint sprigs.