Health benefits

• Bulgur is a whole grain that is rich in fiber, aiding in digestion and helping to maintain a healthy weight.
• Excellent providers of vitamins A, C, and K, parsley and mint support the immune system and improve skin health.
• Converted from concentrated pomegranate juice, pomegranate molasses is a rich source of antioxidants that can help lower inflammation and prevent heart disease.
• Olive oil, a staple in Mediterranean cuisine, is high in monounsaturated fats, which are known to improve heart health by lowering bad cholesterol levels.

Ingredients

• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of crushed garlic
• 1 hot pepper, finely sliced (optional)
• 1 bunch of parsley, chopped
• 1 bunch of mint, chopped
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons pepper paste
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 cup fine bulgur, washed
• 1 cup water
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon Cumin

Sauce Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Pomegranate molasses
• Juice of 1 lemon

Preparation

1. On medium heat, sauté the finely chopped onion and crushed garlic in olive oil until they become soft and translucent.
2. After adding the tomato paste, pepper paste, cumin, and other spices, add the finely sliced hot pepper. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the spices are well incorporated.
3. Make sure the bulgur is thoroughly coated with the spices by stirring in the cleaned bulgur. Then, proceed to add the water and bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Cover the pot and allow it to simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until the bulgur has absorbed all the water and become tender.
5. After removing the pot from the heat source, let it cool slightly. Once cooled, mix in the chopped vegetables: parsley, mint, green onions, and tomatoes.
6. Whisk together the olive oil, pomegranate molasses, and freshly squeezed lemon juice to make the sauce. Drizzle this sauce over the bulgur mixture and toss everything together until well combined.
7. Before serving, let the salad sit for ten to fifteen minutes so the flavors can combine.

Tips

• For a more vibrant flavor, let the salad sit in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving.
• Depending on your taste, you can add or remove the hot pepper to change the amount of spice.
• For added crunch, garnish the salad with toasted pine nuts or walnuts before serving.