Lebanese tabouli is a parsley-based salad served as part of a meze. It traditionally includes fine Bulgarian wheat, flat leaf parsley, shallots, mint, cucumber, and tomato. Authentic versions do not contain garlic and are dressed with oil and lemon juice. Pre-packaged versions may lack authenticity.
Lebanese tabouli is a type of ethnic salad that uses large quantities of parsley. Although non-authentic versions often add garlic to this dish, authentic Lebanese tabouli do not contain garlic. This salad is usually served with a simple oil-based dressing, often flavored with lemon juice. It can be found pre-packaged in ethnic markets, but often the pre-packaged versions lack authenticity.
Traditionally, Lebanese tabouli is served as part of a meze. A meze is a Middle Eastern appetizer selection that contains several small and varied dishes. Lebanese tabouli normally include fine Bulgarian wheat and flat leaf parsley, although curly parsley may be used. Often, shallots, mint, cucumber and tomato are also added. The mixture is usually seasoned with herbs such as mint, sage and thyme.
Although non-traditional versions of this dish may use Bulgarian wheat as the main ingredient, traditionally very little wheat is added. The grain is first washed and soaked in hot water for about an hour. Then, it is squeezed to remove any excess water. Ideally, the grain will be dry after the pressing process.
The vegetables and herbs are chopped by hand or using a food processor. Then, vegetables, herbs and grain are combined and tossed. Once the ingredients are combined, the dressing can be added. Once completed, the salad is normally chilled for at least an hour before serving.
The dressing may simply contain extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice seasoned with salt and pepper, or it may include balsamic vinegar as an acidic element. Extra virgin and non-extra virgin olive oil are recommended for dressings due to its higher quality and richer taste. Although the dressing ingredients may be whipped together before being poured over the salad, often the oil and lemon juice are simply drizzled onto the dish separately. Then, salt and pepper can be added to taste. Less traditional seasonings can add minced garlic and spices, such as cinnamon.
Lebanese tabouli is also often served with grape or lettuce leaves. When lettuce leaves are used, hearts of romaine are more common. The leaves can be used as salad scoops.
Prepackaged versions of this dish are mostly found in Middle Eastern markets. Prepared versions, however, often add more bulgar grain than necessary and may include garlic. Garlic is largely excluded from tabouli because the dish is designed, in part, as a palate cleanser, which is why parsley is its dominant ingredient.
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