Tabbouleh Salad

I once brought a bowl of homemade Tabbouleh Salad to a potluck dinner with friends. As I proudly presented my creation, one friend, who had never tried Tabbouleh before, skeptically asked, “So… it’s just a bunch of parsley?” Without missing a beat, another friend chimed in, “Yeah, but it’s parsley with a PhD in flavor!” Everyone laughed, and after they tried it, that same friend went back for seconds, admitting that Tabbouleh was now officially on their favorite salad list.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup bulgur wheat
  • 2 cups chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 cup chopped fresh mint
  • 1 cup chopped fresh coriander
  • 3 medium tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
  • Juice of 2-3 lemons
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Bulgur Wheat

Place the bulgur wheat in a bowl and cover it with hot water. Let it sit for about 30 minutes or until the bulgur is tender. Drain any excess water.

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Step 2: Chop the Herbs and Vegetables

Finely chop the parsley, mint, and coriander leaves. Dice the tomatoes and cucumber. Finely chop the red onion.

Step 3: Combine the Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the soaked bulgur wheat, chopped parsley, mint, coriander, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.

Step 4: Mix the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.

Step 5: Toss the Salad

Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to combine all the ingredients and coat them evenly with the dressing.

Did you know? Tabbouleh has ancient roots, with its origins dating back to the Middle Ages in the mountains of Lebanon and Syria. It was originally considered a poor man’s dish, where parsley was abundant and used as the main ingredient, while bulgur was added sparingly to stretch the meal. Over time, it evolved into the vibrant and refreshing salad we know today, celebrated for its health benefits and delicious flavors.

Step 6: Chill and Serve

Cover the Tabbouleh salad and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 7: Enjoy

When ready to serve, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve the Tabbouleh salad chilled as a refreshing and flavorful side dish.

Variations

  • Additions: You can customize your Tabbouleh salad by adding ingredients like diced bell peppers, olives, or even crumbled feta cheese for extra flavor.
  • Grains: Instead of bulgur wheat, you can use quinoa or couscous as a gluten-free alternative.
  • Herbs: Experiment with the ratio of parsley to mint and coriander based on your preference for a more herb-forward or minty Tabbouleh.
  • Spices: For a touch of spice, consider adding a pinch of ground cumin or sumac to the dressing.