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Weekend Recipe: Tabbouleh

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Tabbouleh is known to most California residents, as it's a staple dish in Mediterranean restaurants, especially Lebanese and Armenian eateries. But you can also make it yourself! It requires a bit of chopping and dicing, but as this America's Test Kitchen shows, it's quite easy to assemble.

Photo courtesy America's Test Kitchen
Photo courtesy America's Test Kitchen

Tabbouleh
Serves 4

3 medium round tomatoes (about 1 pound)
salt
1 bunch fresh parsley
1 bunch fresh mint
2 scallions
½ Cup medium-grind bulgur *
2 lemons
6 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
?? Teaspoon cayenne pepper
pepper

* Bulgur comes in several different grind sizes. Medium is the most widely available size in bulk bins and supermarket brands, with grains about the size of sesame seeds or kosher salt.

Core 3 medium round tomatoes and cut into ½-inch pieces. Toss tomatoes and ¼ teaspoon salt in large bowl. Transfer to fine-mesh strainer, set strainer in bowl, and let stand for 30 minutes, tossing occasionally.

Meanwhile, chop enough fresh parsley to yield 1½ cups. Set aside.

Chop enough fresh mint to yield ½ cup. Set aside.

Thinly slice 2 scallions. Set aside.

Juice 2 lemons to yield ¼ cup juice. Set aside.

Once tomatoes have finished draining, rinse ½ cup medium-grind bulgur in fine-mesh strainer under cold running water. Drain well. Transfer to medium bowl and stir in 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 2 tablespoons juice from drained tomatoes. Let stand until grains are beginning to soften, 30 to 40 minutes.

Whisk remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, ?? teaspoon cayenne pepper, and ¼ teaspoon salt together in large bowl.

Add drained tomatoes, soaked bulgur, chopped parsley, chopped mint, and scallions. Toss gently to combine.

Cover and let stand at room temperature until flavors have blended and bulgur is tender, about 1 hour.

Toss to recombine, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately.

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