Tabbouleh
A Lebanese tabbouleh is a parsley salad with a little bulgur in it, not the other way round. Chopped by hand, dressed at the last minute, and startlingly fresh.
Method
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Rinse the fine bulgur, then put it in a bowl with the diced tomatoes and their juices and half the lemon juice. Leave to soak for 20 minutes — no cooking required.
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Wash the parsley and dry it completely in a salad spinner and then on a tea towel. Wet herbs make watery tabbouleh.
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Strip the leaves from the thick stalks, gather them into a tight bundle, and chop very finely with a sharp knife. Never use a food processor.
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Chop the mint leaves the same way, at the last moment so they do not blacken.
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Combine the herbs with the soaked bulgur and tomato mixture and the spring onions.
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Dress with the olive oil, remaining lemon juice, salt, allspice and pepper, and toss gently with your hands.
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Taste and adjust — it should be sharp and green. Serve immediately with lettuce leaves for scooping.
Chef’s Tips
- The ratio is the recipe: it should look overwhelmingly green, with the bulgur barely visible.
- Dress only when you are ready to eat; salt draws water out of the parsley within minutes.
- A sharp knife is essential — a dull one bruises the leaves and turns them black.
Pairing Suggestions
- Arak, or a cold Lebanese white
- Serve as part of a mezze with hummus and kibbeh
- Excellent alongside grilled meat
Storage & Reheating
Best within an hour. Undressed components keep 1 day refrigerated separately.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.