TABOULEH

Tabouleh like hummus and babaghanouj has its origins in the Middle East, it is a salad made of parsley, wheat bulgur, tomato and lemon.

I have some Lebanese friends and an annual highlight for me when summer rolls around is to be fortunate enough to be invited to a few of their many barbecues. The only thing that flows thicker than their hospitality is the food. It always starts with some traditional dips, spreads, stuffed vine leaves and stacks and stacks of freshly baked flat bread to spread and dip it all with. After that the barbecue gets fired up and the various types of meats hit the grill, there is garlic marinated chicken skewers, minced and spiced lamb skewers, beautiful marinated chicken wings, meatball’s and if thats not enough then the food starts to roll out of the kitchen as well, dishes such as slow roasted lamb, falafel, stews and numerous salads. So much food, so much meat, wonderful flavourful meat. This is why I love tabouleh, who wants to fill up on some starchy potato salad with all this lovingly prepared food around. The tabouleh (also a lovingly prepared dish) is the 20 time winner for the best supporting role. In addition to its ingredients features, such as the parsley’s nutritional benefits, the lemon juice’s slightly refreshing flavour and the wheat’s textural characteristics the dish as a whole is a perfect palette cleanser. Eaten in small bites between all these other dishes it really helps to appreciate the flavours going on on ones plate. Hurry up summer!