Fatteh with meat or without

Fetteh is an amazing Middle eastern dish and very famous in our Lebanese cuisine. The word fatteh means crumbs, I guess it comes from the way this dish is done by spreading the meat and the chickpeas, sprinkling all over the toasted pita bread pieces. then it is covered with the blend of the garlicky yogurt which complete the amazing taste of fatteh. Finally decorated with toasted and crunchy pine nuts that add to it the nutty savour.

Can you imagine the distinguished taste you get after you taste a full spoon from this delicious dish. Just think of it how delightful this dish is to have lasted for years and until this day it is the most famous breakfast in our cuisine. Mostly it is served as a vegetarian dish but my children prefer it as lunch especially this recipe which includes the meat. They can get the benefit of the nutrients from all the ingredients this dish contains.

Prep. Time: 30 min

Serves: 6

INGREDIENTS:

500 grams Beef tenderloin chunks

2 cups cooked chickpeas

2 large pitas

2 tbsp oil

1/4 cup pine nuts

1 tbsp butter

2 small garlic cloves

750 grams yogourt

1 tsp Salt

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp allspice

PREPARATION: in a large pan heat one tbsp of oil, add the meat then season with salt and pepper. Saute over medium heat until well done , drop on top the cooked and drained chickpeas, add the butter cover and let it simmer over low heat for 5 mins. Meanwhile, toast the bread in the oven until golden, cool and crumble into chip sized pieces. You can brush the bread with olive oil before toasting it if you desire. In the family we all prefer it plain.

heat 1 tbsp of oil and toast the pine nuts until golden and set aside. Crush the garlic gloves with 1/2 tsp salt very well until softened. In a large bowl pour the yogourt, add the crushed garlic, a tsp of salt and one cup of water then mix well with a hand mixer until smooth. Fatteh should be served in a large platter. First spread the mixture of meat and chickpeas in the bottom now the toasted bread then pour the yogurt all over. Finally sprinkle the toasted pine nuts. You can drizzle a tbsp of olive oil on top of the yogourt if desired. It will give this dish an additional flavor. You can serve it the same way in a regular dish for each person separately.

Fatteh can be done the same way without adding meat and it is as much as good. The secret of the wonderful taste in this dish is the mixture of all the healthy and delicious ingredients it contains so give it a try and you won't regret.

It is easy and can be prepared very quickly whenever you’re short of time and you want a rapid dish especially the vegetarian side. It can be made any time and it is preferable in the summer as it’s refreshing and delightful.

ENJOY!!!