Tabouli (Parsley Salad)

3 large bunches of parsley
1/3 cup burghul (crushed wheat #2)
2 cups water
4 green onions, with ends
1/4 cup fresh mint (chopped)
2 large tomatoes (diced small & seeded)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup lemon juice (or to taste)
1/4 cup olive oil

Wash parsley well, drain and shake out excess water.
Soak crushed wheat in water in large mixing bowl for 20 minutes, stirring the wheat every 5ish minutes.
Drain well and set aside. Remove stems from parsley and chop fine (I put the parsley in the food processor and pulse a few times till "chopped finely").
Add wheat, tomatoes, and green onion and mix.
Add the rest of the ingredients and stir.

*To serve, line outside of a platter with romaine leaves, green ends facing out. Add tabouli in center of platter. Scoop tabouli with leaves and eat! (it's kinda like an arab lettuce wrap!)

Hommous Bi Tahini (Hummus)

In lou of Lent, I thought we should post some "veggi" foods... since we are supposed to be fasting from meat and dairy. If you have a chance to go to a middle eastern store to get Tahini, DO IT! it's worth it. I usually use the glass jarred Tahini's... usually the brand "MidEast"

1 19oz can chickpeas or garbanzo beans, liquid saved and set aside
1/4 cup sesame seed past (Tahini)
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup lemon juice (or to taste)

Combine all the above ingredients in a food processor, adding only enough of the reserved liquid to meet your satisfaction...(the more liquid added, the thinner the dip). Blend for 2-3 minutes to a smooth consistancy.
*Place in a shallow bowl or on a platter, smooth out. Take a spoon and add little divits in the hummus. Sprinkle with good olive oil and garnish center with parsley sprigs, lemon wedges, or a tomato rose.

Serve with Pita Bread (also worth getting fresh at a middle eastern store)