A Mediterranean Twist on Caesar Salad Ditches Croutons for Crispy Pita

A new twist on the classic Caesar salad has been shared in the self-published cookbook Pretty Delicious. Written by sisters Alia and Radwa Elkaffas, the recipe replaces traditional croutons with crispy pita bread crumbs and adds chickpeas for a Mediterranean touch. The dish also includes a tahini-based dressing, offering a fresh take on the well-known favourite.

The recipe begins with a bed of fresh greens, topped with chickpeas, sliced avocados, and thin radishes. Instead of standard croutons, the salad uses Pita Bread Crumbs—made by baking a mix of pita, walnuts, and olive oil until golden and crisp. The dressing, a blend of tahini, parmesan, lime juice, garlic, and anchovy paste, ties the flavours together.

The authors suggest serving the salad with extra dressing, grated parmesan, and a sprinkle of black pepper. For convenience, the ingredients can be layered separately in a container, making it easy to transport and assemble later.

Pretty Delicious, released in 2025, was self-published by the sisters through Amazon KDP. The book avoids traditional publishing routes, offering their recipes directly to readers.

This updated Caesar salad combines familiar elements with Middle Eastern influences. The use of pita crumbs, tahini dressing, and chickpeas creates a dish that can be prepared in advance or served fresh. The recipe reflects the Elkaffas sisters' approach to blending classic and modern flavours in their cookbook.