I am a huge fan of the prepared foods bar at Whole Foods. There is no place else I can think of that you have access to so many amazing foods in a one stop shop. There is also no other place I can think of where I can easily spend $30-40 for a single carton of food. I like to fill up my cardboard container with everything – from the hummus to the curried vegetables to the salad bar, I love to try it all.
During my last few visits to Whole Foods I have seen a Tabbouleh Salad on the prepared foods bar, only made with lentil and quinoa instead of bulgur wheat. I love the variation so much I decided to make it at home. Tabbouleh, tabouli and tabouleh (all the correct spelling and interchangeable) is traditionally a vegetarian dish in Middle Eastern cuisine, usually as an accompaniment to a larger dish or meal. However, in using both lentils and quinoa, this version can stand on its own as a main course.
To me the star of the dish is the parsley. While normally used as just a garnish, parsley can lend a spicy and fresh flavor when used as an ingredient. Parsley is an excellent of vitamin K and vitamin C as well as a good source of vitamin A, folate and iron, all essential nutrients for optimal health.
Other common ingredients in traditional tabbouleh include mint, tomatoes and onion. In this case I used green onion as to not overpower the other flavors. I also added cucumber for a little more substance. I also added garlic to lemon juice and olive oil as a dressing to toss the ingredients in.
The dish is light and airy enough for a summer barbeque, but also hearty and filling enough to warm you up on a chilly fall evening. Enjoy this Lentil Quinoa Tabbouleh!
Lentil Quinoa Tabbouleh
A tasty and healthy variation of a traditional tabbouoleh dish.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cooked green lentils
- 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 3 large green onions,, chopped
- 3 tbsp. minced fresh mint
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsp. minced garlic
Instructions
- Combine the olive oil, lemon juice and garlic in an airtight jar. Shake until well blended. Set aside.
- Add the lentils, quinoa, tomato, cucumber, parsley, green onions and fresh mint into a serving bowl and mix together with a spoon.
- Drizzle the lemon juice mixture over the lentil mixture until the salad is lightly dressed.
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge until ready to serve.
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Helen Corbin
Tuesday 18th of October 2016
Definitely making this - I LOVE tabbouleh :-)
Sharon Walsh
Monday 17th of October 2016
This dish is so good and easy to make. Love the lentils and quinoa together