Having enjoyed many but having never made a salad of tabbouleh before, I sought out an authentic recipe. The author of this one notes that it should be comprised of less bulgur than we might be used to in the tabbouleh we’re served, a tip I obeyed. I would never have known to make and use a Lebanese 7-spice powder which makes for a fantastic, and I’m trusting, very authentic tabbouleh.
(See how this recipe fits into a Lebanese lunch menu!)
Tabbouleh
(Adapted from Mama’s Lebanese Kitchen)
*The author’s Lebanese 7-spice powder is equal parts ground ginger, all-spice, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and fenugreek. It’s also used in their kibbe recipe which you must try, so it’s worth mixing a small batch which you can keep for future use too.
1 small white onion, chopped finely
1/3 tsp Lebanese 7-Spices*
4 bunches Italian (flat-leaf) parsley leaves, chopped finely
1 bunch mint leaves, chopped finely
1 Persian cucumber, chopped finely, or 1/4 regular cucumber
5 roma tomatoes, chopped finely and drained
1/4 cup of fine Bulgur, cooked by steeping for 5 mins in boiling water to cover by 1/4-inch, then raked with a fork
1/3 to 1/2 c extra virgin olive oil
1/2 c freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 to 2/3 tsp kosher salt
Mix onion and 7-spice powder and add to a large bowl. Add the parsley, mint, cucumber, tomatoes and bulgur. When ready to eat, whisk oil, lemon and salt together and pour over top. Mix well but lightly with a fork, transfer to a serving bowl or platter and serve.
Serves 6.