Almost Authentic Lebanese Tabbouleh

Tabbouleh, tabouleh, tabouleh or tabouli, is a classic Middle Eastern salad made of tomatoes, finely chopped parsley, mint, onion, and bulgur (or couscous) and seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.

Tabbouleh is traditionally served with crisp lettuce leaves.. but you can wrap it in lettuce leaves, eat it with pita bread, along with baba-ganoush and hummus or simply as a side dish, just with a fork.

It's so refreshing, especially on a hot summer day! Try mixing the salt and pepper with the chopped onions before adding them to the other ingredients; it brings out the sweet juice of the onion (just a tip I read on the internet). Adjust to your preference by adding more seasoning veggies or oil and lemon if desired. There really is no right or wrong way to make tabbouleh. Everybody has their own recipe.

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TABBOULEH

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Serves 6 to 8 people

• INGREDIENTS:

• 3-4 bunches parsley chopped

• 2 medium tomatoes chopped

• 4 green onions chopped (or 1 small onion)

• 2 tablespoons chopped mint (or 1 tablespoons if dried)

• 1/4 cup fine couscous (soaked in hot water for at least 15 mins)

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup lemon juice (about 3 lemons, but really it depends on the size)

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1/2 tsp salt n pepper

• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Prepare the dressing by pouring lemon juice ,olive oil, salt n pepper in a salad dressing shaker. Give it a good shake and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, add the chopped parsley, mint, tomatoes, onions/scallions. Drain the couscous, squeeze out any excess liquid, add to the salad and mix well.

3. Pour the dressing on top and Viola!

4. Serve cold and enjoy as you may please.