Of all that El Soussi whips up on a daily basis, it’s fatteh that takes the cake and bakery – and also what accorded it a spot on the CNN list. For as exotic as it sounds, the fatteh is hearteningly simple, wholly sumptious and is something you’re going to want to keep coming back to, especially if you’re lucky enough to have torn through a plate at the El Soussi. The Mediterranean Dish’s Suzy Karadsheh describes it as “a healthy, Middle Eastern version of nachos.” So think of it as a more rustic rendition of the globally stamped hummus, albeit with loads more texture. A dish of the Levant, regional ingredients take over depending on location, but a mix of pita chips, chickpeas, yoghurt and toasted pine nuts makes for its pretty consistent base. At El Soussi for one, the rustic dish is hand-made wholly. Freshly boiled chickpeas are hand mashed with tahini, lemon and a generous hit of olive oil to create the msabbaha and a visual of it is enough to have you craving some Lebanese brekky, even if you haven’t had the chance to sit down for one yet.
Dining and Cooking