Cracked wheat Tabouleh with Tahini sauce

pronounced: tah-BOO-lee
Makes 3-4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water (use boiling for quick method)
• 1/2 cup cracked wheat
• 1 bunch chopped parsley
• 1 small bunch minced mint leaves (optional)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red and/or green onion
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 cucumber diced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Fresh squeezed lemon juice, to taste
• 1 tsp. kosher or sea salt, or to taste
• Fresh cracked Pepper, to taste
• pinch ground cumin (optional)
• Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
• Pinch allspice (optional)

Method:
1. Soak the cracked wheat in the water & refrigerate several hours or overnight.(For a quicker method: boil the water and pour over wheat in a bowl and cover for about 20-30 min.).
2. Mix wheat with other ingredients, lemon juice & olive oil last.
3. Serve with Tahini sauce (recipe follows).

Variations:
Substitute wheat with couscous or even cooked brown rice.
Garnish with cubed or crumbled feta cheese, Kalamata olives, pepperoncini peppers or artichoke hearts.
Use prepared salad dressing instead of olive oil and lemon (like Ceasar dressing).

Tahini Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 or 2 garlic cloves
• 1/2 c. tahini
• 1/4 c. fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 c. water, more or less
• Salt & pepper, to taste

• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Method

1. Process all ingredients in a food processor, starting with garlic (mince fine), then tahini, lemon juice, enough water to obtain a creamy consistency, and finally salt, pepper and cayenne (if using).
2. Refrigerate for several hours. You might have to add a little water at this point if sauce is too thick, and adjust seasoning as well.
3. Serve with tabouleh, falafel, fattoush or any kind of salad.

Variations

Try with peanut, sunflower or other nut butters.
Add hot sauce to make a pink spicy dressing
Add 'Liquid Aminos' or Tamari soy sauce.



Copyleft (2010) The Budget Gourmet