Tabbouleh

Tabbouleh is originally a Lebanese dish, but is widely popular in many parts of the world now as a very healthy salad. Tabbūle is a Levantine Arabic word which literally means "little spicy". It’s usually made with Bulgur wheat, but I’ve replaced it with cracked wheat here, with almost similar taste, but I wouldn’t say it’s exactly the same. It’s a multi colored delight which is very fibrous and nutritious.

This is my version of Tabbouleh, which is slightly different from the original one.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup vegetable stock (for vegetarians) or chicken stock or water
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup cracked wheat
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Juice from ½ a lemon
• 1 small green chilli, chopped
• ½ of a red onion, chopped
• ½ capsicum (green or yellow) seeded and chopped
• 1 tomato, seeded and chopped
• ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 1 scallion, chopped with the greens
• ¾ cup parsley, chopped

·        Add the cracked wheat to a bowl. Boil the stock with some salt, pour it over the wheat. Keep this aside for about 30 minutes to an hour.

·        In a large bowl, add the lemon juice, olive oil and cracked wheat, mix well. Add all the other ingredients and combine well delicately.

·        Do a taste test and add more salt, olive oil or lemon juice if required, to suit your taste. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator before serving.

·        Tabbouleh is ready. Serve chilled.

·        This can be stored in good containers for a few days, if refrigerated.