Delicious Fattah Recipe for a Flavorful Middle Eastern Feast

Fattah is a beloved Middle Eastern dish that combines layers of crispy bread, tender meat, fragrant rice, and rich sauces to create a satisfying and hearty meal. This dish is a staple at family gatherings and festive occasions, celebrated for its bold flavors and comforting textures. If you want to bring a taste of the Middle East to your table, learning how to make fattah is a great place to start.

This blog post will guide you through a classic fattah recipe, share tips for perfecting each component, and explain how to serve it for an authentic experience. Whether you are new to Middle Eastern cooking or looking to expand your culinary repertoire, this recipe will help you create a flavorful feast that everyone will enjoy.

Traditional Middle Eastern fattah served in a large platter

What Is Fattah?

Fattah is a layered dish popular in countries like Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria. The name "fattah" means "crushed" or "crumbled" in Arabic, referring to the broken pieces of toasted or fried bread that form the base of the dish. The bread is soaked with broth or sauce, topped with rice, meat (usually lamb or beef), and finished with garlic-yogurt sauce or tomato sauce depending on the regional variation.

The beauty of fattah lies in its combination of textures and flavors: crunchy bread, fluffy rice, tender meat, and tangy sauces. It is a communal dish often served on large platters, perfect for sharing.

Ingredients You Will Need

To make a classic fattah, gather the following ingredients:

• Bread: Pita bread or Arabic flatbread, cut into pieces and toasted or fried until crispy

• Rice: Long-grain white rice or basmati, cooked until fluffy

• Meat: Lamb shanks, beef stew meat, or chicken thighs, slow-cooked until tender

• Broth: Beef or chicken broth to soak the bread and add moisture

• Tomato sauce: Made with garlic, tomato paste, and spices

• Garlic-yogurt sauce: Yogurt mixed with crushed garlic and lemon juice

• Spices: Cumin, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper

• Garnishes: Toasted pine nuts, chopped parsley, and a drizzle of olive oil

  
  

These ingredients come together to create a dish that is rich, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.

Preparing the Bread Base

The bread layer is the foundation of fattah and must be crispy enough to hold the toppings without becoming soggy too quickly. Here’s how to prepare it:

1. Cut pita bread into bite-sized pieces.

2. Toast the pieces in a dry skillet over medium heat or bake them in the oven until golden and crisp.

3. Alternatively, fry the bread pieces in hot oil for a richer flavor and crunch.

4. Once crispy, place the bread in a large serving dish.

5. Pour warm broth over the bread to soften it slightly without losing the crunch.

   
   

This step is crucial because the bread absorbs the broth and flavors from the meat and sauces, tying the dish together.

Cooking the Meat and Rice

The meat in fattah should be tender and flavorful. Slow cooking is the best method:

• Season the meat with salt, pepper, cumin, and cinnamon.

• Brown the meat in a pot to develop flavor.

• Add water or broth, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until the meat is tender and falling apart.

• Remove the meat and shred or cut into pieces.

  
  

For the rice:

• Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.

• Cook the rice in salted boiling water or broth until tender.

• Drain and fluff with a fork.

  
  

Both the meat and rice should be well-seasoned to complement the bread and sauces.

Making the Tomato and Garlic-Yogurt Sauces

Two sauces bring fattah to life: a tangy tomato sauce and a creamy garlic-yogurt sauce.

Tomato Sauce

• Heat olive oil in a pan.

• Sauté minced garlic until fragrant.

• Add tomato paste, a pinch of cumin, salt, and pepper.

• Stir and cook for 5-7 minutes until thickened.

• Add a splash of broth if the sauce is too thick.

  
  

Garlic-Yogurt Sauce

• Combine plain yogurt with crushed garlic.

• Add lemon juice and a pinch of salt.

• Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.

  
  

These sauces add moisture and flavor contrast to the dish.

Assembling the Fattah

Layering is key to a perfect fattah:

1. Start with the soaked bread at the bottom of a large platter.

2. Spread the cooked rice evenly over the bread.

3. Arrange the shredded meat on top of the rice.

4. Drizzle the tomato sauce generously over the meat.

5. Spoon the garlic-yogurt sauce around or on top.

6. Garnish with toasted pine nuts and chopped parsley.

7. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil for richness.

   
   

Serve the fattah warm with fresh vegetables or a simple salad on the side.

Tips for Serving and Enjoying Fattah

• Fattah is traditionally eaten communally, with everyone sharing from the same platter.

• Use a large spoon to scoop all layers together for the best flavor combination.

• Pair fattah with pickled vegetables or a fresh cucumber and tomato salad to balance the richness.

• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently, but the bread may lose some crispness.

  
  

Variations to Try

Fattah has many regional variations. Here are some ideas to customize your dish:

• Use chicken instead of lamb or beef for a lighter version.

• Add chickpeas or lentils for extra protein and texture.

• Top with fried eggs for a breakfast twist.

• Incorporate different spices like turmeric or coriander for unique flavor profiles.

  
  

Experimenting with fattah allows you to adapt it to your taste and dietary preferences.