When in doubt, add whole grains. Or even better, start with them.
When you’re thinking about salads for summer barbecues, consider this trio of naturally healthy tabboulehs.
Tabbouleh is a Middle Eastern salad of bulgur wheat, parsley and tomatoes flavored with mint, scallions, lemon
juice and olive oil. Composed primarily of whole grains and vegetables, this dish is low in calories and high in fiber and protein.
Using different combinations of whole grains, herbs and vegetables, you also can create similarly nutritious and delicious tabbouleh-like salads.
Being a cold salad, with no mayonnaise, this dish is perfect for a barbecue or picnic.
Consider serving them in lettuce cups, with pita chips to scoop with or spooned into a pita pocket.
You also could make it a meal by incorporating some diced or shredded chicken breast and serving it over a bed of greens.
Tropical tabbouleh
2 cups cooked and cooled pearl barley
1 cup firmly packed chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
3 scallions, sliced
3 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup diced mango
1/4 teaspoon allspice
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Toss well, then season with salt and pepper.
Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 200 calories; 70 calories from fat (33 percent of total calories); 8 g fat (1 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 33 g carbohydrate; 3 g protein; 5 g fiber; 10 mg sodium.
Mediterranean tabbouleh
2 cups cooked and cooled farro
1 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped oil-packed sundried tomato
1 tablespoon oil from sundried tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped Kalamata olives
1 yellow bell pepper, cored and diced
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Toss well, then season with salt and pepper.
Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 210 calories; 40 calories from fat (18 percent of total calories); 5 g fat (2 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 10 mg cholesterol; 35 g carbohydrate; 9 g protein; 6 g fiber; 210 mg sodium.
California tabbouleh
1 Granny Smith apple, diced
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 cups cooked and cooled brown rice
1 small fennel bulb, cubed
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
In a medium bowl, toss the apple with the vinegar. Add the remaining ingredients, then toss well. Season with salt and black pepper.
Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 290 calories; 90 calories from fat (30 percent of total calories); 10 g fat (3 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 5 mg cholesterol; 45 g carbohydrate; 7 g protein; 6 g fiber; 160 mg sodium.
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