TABOULE

Taboule is a very popular salad dish in Lebanon and an amazing appetizer which is served in each and every Lebanese cuisine. This dish is healthy and rich in its green fresh vegetables and it has been known for its crispy and lemony taste which you can't resist.

Taboule is one of my family's favorite meza ( appetizer ) and they like to eat it by filling a romaine lettuce leaf with a heaped tablespoon of taboule.

Prep. time: 35 mins

Serves: 5 to 6

INGREDIENTS:

2 bunches of Italian parsley or the other kind if not available

4 medium tomatoes washed

3 small green onions or small regular onion

10 fresh leaves of green mint

3 lemons freshly squeezed or 3 tbsp of lemon juice

1/3 cup olive oil

2 tbsp. fine cracked wheat or fine burghul

3/4 tsp salt or as desire

a pinch of allspice

PREPARATION: Collect the parsley in good tied up bunches that fits in your hand then wash them, strain and let them dry well. It is always better to prepare them few hours ahead of time but if you are in a hurry dry them in the vegetable spinner. This makes it easier to chop when it is fully dry and to have a delicious taboule. Chop the parsley very fine, trying not to do the chopping part more than once, your taboule will loose its crisp. Put aside in a large bowl and do the same with the mint leaves. Chop the tomatoes into small pieces ( diced ) and set along side, then the onions should be finely chopped and set separately aside. Now wash the burghul, strain, add it to the tomatoes and let it soak for 10 mins. or until softened. Add the salt, allspice, the lemon juice and the oil to all the prepared ingredients. Now mix well until you get a bowl of our Lebanese delicious taboule. Chill before serving and enjoy it with few leaves of the romaine lettuce, other lettuce or fresh cabbage if you desire.

ENJOY!!!