If you’re planning to have an extravagant, out-of-the-ordinary dinner (pizza, we love you, but sometimes we just want to spice things up a bit), a Mediterranean dinner is your best bet.
With a few key ingredients you can put together a deluxe dinner party, starting with the traditional tabouli, a.k.a tabbouleh, that will make the dining an authentic transatlantic experience.
Tabouli or Tabbouleh: The Star of Mezze Platter
Historically, tabouli is one of the national dishes of Lebanon, Syria and the surrounding regions, where it reflects the abundance of fresh produce and the skillful use of herbs.
Its migration to Mediterranean cuisine has not only increased its popularity, but also enriched the culinary landscape of the region. Nowadays, tabouli is one of the most famous mediterranean recipes.
So, what is tabouli? Tabouli or tabbouleh is one of the traditional mezze appetizers. The mezze, or mezze platter, typical of eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, consists of small plates served together. For culinary travelers, Lebanese mezzes are what would correspond to antipasti for Italians or tapas for Spaniards, to name a few.
In short, at any Mediterranean or Lebanese dinner you will find tabouli in a distinguished place. So if you want to treat your guests to a special meal and are looking for the best Middle Eastern food near me, you know where to start.
Key Ingredients for Authentic Tabouli
Before the introduction of tomato in the geographical region of Sham, the intrinsic elements of traditional tabouli salad were chopped parsley, fresh mint, red onion, a little bit of brown bulgur, lemon juice, olive oil and salt.
The authentic Lebanese recipe includes a large amount of flat parsley in proportion to the rest of the ingredients, so bulgur would not predominate, but chopped herbs.
However, as the dish has become internationalized, tomatoes were added to the recipe and the parsley content of tabouli has been reduced and replaced by more bulgur. Anyway, as long as you keep these key tabouli ingredients you will definitely have a taste of the original.
Step-by-Step Guide for the Best Tabouli Recipe
Well then, getting down to business, the tabouli recipe for which we are gathered here.
- Ingredients:
- 5 ripe tomatoes, diced
- 5 red onions, lightly chopped
- 3 bunches of flat parsley
- 1 bunch of fresh mint
- 4 tablespoons bulgur
- 2 lemons, squeezed
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Instructions:
- Pour the bulgur into a large bowl of warm water and soak for 15 minutes to soften.
- Remove the stems from the parsley and finely chop with a knife or scissors. Cut the mint and finely chop in the same way.
- When the bulgur is soft, drain it and squeeze it well. In a salad bowl add everything, including the tomatoes and onions.
- Pour the lemon juice and olive oil over the salad. Add salt and pepper. Mix well.
As we are recreating a Mediterranean dinner party, keep in mind that this recipe is for about six people, so calculate the proportions depending on your guests (or your passion and hunger for tabouli).
Tabbouleh Serving Suggestions for a Traditional Mediterranean Dinner
Now, to make your tabouli the star of a true Mediterranean feast, consider these side dish options:
- Pita Bread: A warm and fluffy pita bread is a must in every mediterranean dinner. The soft texture of the bread provides the perfect canvas for scooping up the flavorful tabouli salad.
- Hummus: Of course, another must. The creamy and nutty undertones of hummus complement to perfection the freshness of Tabouli.
- Baba Ganoush: For a spicy contrast, include baba ganoush in your spread. This smoky eggplant dip adds depth to the ensemble.
- Greek Salad: And last but not least, introduce the final touch with a side of classic greek salad.
And there you have it, your Mediterranean dinner is served. This way, the next time you’re looking for Mediterranean food near me, you won’t have to go far.
Conclusion: Craft Your Own Mediterranean Ticket made Tabouli
With this guide to preparing your own authentic tabouli, you’ll not only embrace a culinary tradition that brought cultures together, you’ll invite the delicious tones of the Mediterranean into your home.
So put on your apron, gather the freshest ingredients and summon your friends for a transatlantic dinner with the perfect tabouli recipe.
