Also made with bulgur, itch is somewhat like the Armenian version of tabbouleh, but with a bolder, spicier flavour thanks to ingredients such as cumin and chili pepper. It is also the favourite dish of Marie, my mother-in-law, whom I wanted to honour by including this recipe in the book.

There's a reason we made it our signature salad, as fattoush is so colorful it'll brighten up any table. At our house, even the kids ask for more thanks to the crispy pita chips and its sweet and tangy flavor.

One day, at a dinner party at my brother's house, my sister-in-law, Rana, placed a fattoush in the center of...