Fattoush with Greens, Sumac and Feta Cheese

Note:  This is a great bread salad combo, and substitutions should be freely used and explored: different kinds of toasted bread (I've used sourdough, and it worked fine); different herbs; different kinds of onions (like leeks or shallots); et cetera.

Ingredients (serves 4):

• 2 pita breads, split and toasted
• 2 really fresh big beefsteak tomatoes
• 1/2 cup mixed cherry tomatoes
• 1 cucumber
• 2 scallions
• 1 bunch radishes
• 1 small head romaine lettuce
• 2 tablespoons sumac
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 pound French sheep's milk feta cheese
• 1/2 cup whole basil leaves

Break the toasted pita into shards and place at the bottom of a serving bowl. Dice the tomatoes and layer over the bread shards with a pinch of salt to start pulling out the juice.

Peel and dice the cucumber and add on top of the tomatoes. Dice the radishes and slice the scallions thinly and add to the bowl. Cut the romaine in half, core, and then cut into fat 1 1/2- to 2-inch ribbons. Sprinkle the sumac over everything.

To make the dressing crush the clove of garlic with the sea salt, add the vinegar, then whisk in the olive oil. Dress the salad and toss. Let it all sit so the flavors meld for about 15 minutes, then sprinkle with the crumbled feta cheese, fold in the basil, and serve.

This is a great salad for advance preparation, as it really just gets better the longer it marinates. We even like the leftovers the next morning for breakfast.