A refreshing and nutritious Middle Eastern salad made with finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, mint, onion, and soaked bulgur, dressed with olive oil and lemon juice.
Servings 4servings
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Middle Eastern
Ingredients
For the Salad
1cupbulgur wheatfine or medium grain, rinsed and soaked in water for 30 minutes
2cupsfresh parsleyfinely chopped, packed
1cuptomatoesripe, finely diced
½cupfresh mint leavesfinely chopped
½cupred onionfinely diced
¼cupolive oilextra virgin for best flavor
¼cupfresh lemon juiceabout 2 medium lemons
1teaspoonsaltto taste
½teaspoonblack pepperfreshly ground, to taste
Method
Prepare the Bulgur
In a medium bowl, combine the rinsed bulgur wheat with enough water to cover it by about an inch. Let it soak for about 30 minutes until it softens. This step is crucial as it hydrates the bulgur, making it tender and fluffy.
Chop the Vegetables and Herbs
While the bulgur is soaking, finely chop the parsley and mint leaves. Use a sharp knife for clean cuts, which helps release the essential oils and flavors from the herbs.
Dice the tomatoes and red onion into small pieces. The smaller the pieces, the better they will integrate into the salad, providing a burst of flavor in every bite.
Combine Ingredients
Once the bulgur is ready, drain any excess water and fluff it with a fork. This helps separate the grains.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the fluffed bulgur, chopped parsley, mint, tomatoes, and red onion. Toss gently to mix the ingredients without bruising the herbs.
Dress the Salad
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. This dressing will enhance the flavors of the salad.
Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serve
Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
For the best flavor, use fresh herbs and ripe tomatoes. This salad is best enjoyed the same day it is made, but it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. If storing, consider adding the dressing just before serving to maintain freshness.