Bring a little Mediterranean brightness to your next bowl of greens with this fresh sumac salad seasoning. Tangy Sumac, fragrant Parsley, cool Mint Leaves, sharp red onion and red wine vinegar come together in a lively dressing that is simple enough for weeknights and special enough for a long lunch.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped Parsley
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped Mint Leaves
- 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon Sumac
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cups salad greens, cucumber or tomato, to serve
Method
- Add the red onion and red wine vinegar to a small bowl and leave for 10 minutes. This softens the onion and gives the vinegar a beautiful rosy lift.
- Whisk in the sumac, sea salt and olive oil.
- Fold through the parsley and mint, then taste and adjust the salt or sumac to suit.
- Toss with salad greens and your favourite fresh vegetables just before serving.
Why these ingredients make a lovely addition
Sumac brings a naturally tart, lemon-like flavour and contains plant compounds such as polyphenols. Parsley and mint add fresh flavour along with naturally occurring vitamins and antioxidant compounds. Red onion is valued for its savoury sweetness and naturally occurring sulphur compounds, while red wine vinegar adds brightness and helps balance the dressing. Together, these ingredients make it easier to build a colourful, flavour-forward salad without relying on a heavy dressing.
These comments describe general food properties and traditional culinary use. They are not medical advice, and this recipe is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any health condition.
A simple way to use it
Try this seasoning over leafy greens with cucumber, tomato, chickpeas or grilled vegetables. Make the dressing a few minutes ahead so the onion can mellow and the sumac can settle into the vinegar.