Tabouleh
Tabouli, also spelled tabbouleh, is a traditional Middle Eastern salad that primarily features finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, mint, onion, and soaked bulgur wheat. Tabouli is often served as a mezze, a small dish that accompanies larger meals, but it can also be enjoyed on its own as a light meal or side dish.
Ingredients:
1 cup of cooked cracked wheat or cooked brown rice
3 cups of finely chopped parsley
1/2 cup of finely chopped fresh mint
4 or 5 finely chopped spring onions (scallions) along with the green parts
2 ripe, medium-sized tomatoes, chopped into very small cubes
1/4 tsp allspice (optional)
1/2 cup lemon juice
5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3/4 tsp salt
Pepper to taste
Directions:
Finely dice the tomatoes.
Clean the parsley and remove the large stems, ensuring you have mostly leaves. Chop fine.
Trim the spring onions and chop fine.
In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and toss well.
Taste for seasoning. If the mixture is too dry, feel free to add additional lemon juice and/or olive oil.
Tabouli benefits from resting; cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight, tossing occasionally.
Serve as an appetizer. It is also delicious when stuffed in pita bread.