Try a new twist on traditional tabbouleh, with quinoa instead of bulgur.
Tabbouleh or tabouleh is a standard part of mezze – the array of small, piquant dishes set down on the table before a serious meal in the Middle East. Traditionally made with bulgur wheat, tabbouleh is really a cold salad packed with herbs and vegetables. But we’ve found that for a change, or to boost nutrition, quinoa, an “ancient new grain” like freekah, makes a very good substitute for bulgur. Try this modern variation on a traditional Middle-Eastern dish.
Quinoa Tabbouleh
4 generous servings
Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa, rinsed twice and drained
1- 1/2 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon olive oil for cooking the quinoa
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup olive oil for the dressing
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 ripe tomatoes, chopped finely
1 cucumber, diced
3 scallions, chopped finely
1 raw carrot, coarsely grated
1 cup parsley, chopped finely
1 /4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped finely
1/2 cup feta cheese chopped into small cubes
Method:
1. Put the quinoa in a medium-sized saucepan. Add the teaspoon of olive oil, salt, and the boiling water. Stir, then cover.
2. Steam the quinoa over a low flame for 15 minutes. Allow it to rest, covered, another 5. Before removing it from the pan, fluff it up with a fork.
3. Combine the 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, and all the vegetables and herbs in a bowl. Mix the cooled quinoa in. Stir the feta cubes in. Taste the salad and add salt if needed.
4. Cover the tabbouleh and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours to overnight, to allow the flavors to marry.
Drizzle tehina over each serving, and enjoy!
Discover more Middle-Eastern recipes with Green Prophet:
thank you for the article,but where can we find a quinoa in beirut?
Try Brisk Cafe:
http://briskhamra.wordpress.com/tag/quinoa-salad/