Tabbouleh Armenian Cracked Wheat Salad Recipes

WHEAT BERRY TABBOULEH SALAD

Steps:

• Place water in large bowl.
• Add wheat and allow to soak until the liquid is absorbed and wheat is tender, approximately 1 hour.
• Thoroughly drain and pat dry.
• Spread drained wheat berries thinly on a baking or cookie sheet and place in oven at 200° until very dry, usually about 1 hour until dry enough to crack easily in a Roller Flaker Mill until moderately fine - the consistency of cracked wheat.
• Sift out the smallest flour-like bits (they will form a paste you don't want in your recipe).
• Bring 1 cup water to a boil, add 1/2 cup Bulgur Wheat and boil for 5-10 minutes.
• When bulgur is done, drain off any excess water and place in a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, 1 tablespoons lemon juice, and salt. Toss to coat the grain.
• Add herbs and vegetables, reserving ½ of the diced tomatoes and toss.
• Add 2 more tablespoons olive oil, 1 more tablespoons lemon juice, allspice, cinnamon and pepper. Toss again, taste and adjust seasonings to taste.
• Garnish with remaining diced tomatoes and a few whole mint leaves.
• Serve immediately over gem lettuce for a salad, or serve with crackers, cucumber slices, fresh bread or pita chips for hors d oeuvres.

ARMENIAN BULGUR SALAD (ITCH OR EECH)

Steps:

• In a large sauté pan over medium high heat, warm the olive oil then cook the onions and green pepper just until the onion begins to soften, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for just one minute. Add the chopped tomatoes, salt, pepper and cayenne and cook covered for 10 minutes. Add the water and bulgur. Stir to coat the bulgur. Cover and cook on low heat for 10 more minutes. Remove from the heat, stir and cover for an additional 10 minutes.
• Allow to cool to room temperature. Stir in the lemon juice before refrigerating.
• Top with green onion, fresh parsley and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil before serving.

TABBOULEH - ARMENIAN CRACKED WHEAT SALAD

Steps:

• Soak bulgur in cold water to cover, for an hour or so.
• Squeeze out the water with hands and mix with other ingredients except oil, lemon juice and salt.
• Mix with olive oil, lemon juice and salt, using proportions agreeable to your taste.
• It is important that vegetables be minced very fine.
• Serve in a bowl or dish surrounded with Romaine leaves or fresh tender grape leaves.
• The leaves are used to scoop up the salad.
• Prepare the mixture early enough so flavors blend.