Taste the French Culture!

Recipe: Tabouli

A North African/Middle Eastern vegetarian dish submitted by Dr. Deborah Hovland.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of dry bulghur wheat/whole grain bulghur
• 1 1/2 cups of boiling water
• 2 tablespoons of salt
• 1/4 cup of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of crushed garlic
• 1/2 cup of chopped scallions (including green parts)
• 1 tablespoon of dried mint/fresh mint
• 1/4 cup of virgin olive oil
• black pepper (to taste)
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 2 cups of chopped parsley

Optional Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of cooked chickpeas
• 1/2 cup of coarsely-grated carrot
• 1 chopped green pepper
• 1 chopped cucumber/summer squash

Optional side dishes: black olives, feta cheese

Directions:

1. If using whole grain bulghur, you'll need to begin soaking it at least 3 hours before serving time.
   
2. Combine bulghar and boiling water in a bowl.
3. Cover and let stand 15 minutes to 3 hours, depending on whether or not you're using whole grain bulghur, until bulghur is chewy.
4. Add lemon juice, crushed garlic, virgin olive oil, mint, salt, black pepper.
5. Mix thoroughly.
6. Just before serving, add the vegetables and correct the seasonings.
7. Mix gently.