Lately I've been attempting some healthier meals, mainly at dinner, so that the picky children don't starve to death. At the other meals, I've just been throwing in extra fruits that I know they'll eat. I've even subscribed to "the Cancer Project"'s weekly recipe e-mails. (For those of you unfamiliar with them, they are people who run commercials on the horrors of processed meat - although I think they are anti meat and dairy of all kinds. I just can't believe dairy is bad. It goes against my nutritional upbringing!)
What brought this effort about was Sofia's constant nagging that we need to eat healthier. "You can't feed us potatoes and corn in the same meal - that's two starches!" Eventually I caved and acknowledged that I needed to make an effort.
I made homemade mashed potatoes with mashed rutabagas (very good for you, according to the Cancer Project people) instead of our lazy, high-sodium potato pearls. Everyone ate them...except Sofia. I made two different kinds of Tabbouli Salad. Anthony raved about it. Jonny at least ate out all of the wheat bulgar (and ate the leftover wheat bulgar). Sofia said that I had combined a bunch of ingredients that she liked and made them into something that she didn't.
This is a "be careful what you wish for lesson", because now I'm all into this healthy food and Sofia is bemoaning her fate. Here are my yummy tabbouli recipes for the rest of you brave souls! The good news is, you can make it any way you want, with olive oil, parsley, and mint or just your favorite vegis!
Holiday Tabbouli
1 cup uncooked wheat bulgar
Pour 2 cups of boiling water over the bulgar, and let it sit in a bowl for 1 hour
Add:
1/2 to 1 1/2 cups of diced parsley
tsp. or 2 of fresh diced mint
seeds from one pomegranate
1 seeded, diced cucumber
lemon juice and olive oil to taste
Mediterranean Tabbouli
1 cup uncooked wheat bulgar
Pour 2 cups of boiling water over the bulgar, and let it sit in a bowl for 1 hour
Add:
1/2 to 1 1/2 cups of diced parsley
1 seeded, diced cucumber
two seeded/ diced roma tomatoes
roughly chopped marinated artichoke hearts
black or green olives (I just used a tapenade I had in the fridge - fast and yummy)
olive oil
some of the best tasting balsamic vinegar you have (our favorite Italian place makes a great one with currents and, I'm guessing, lots of sugar!)
It probably isn't AS good for you, but Anthony and I fought over this one until it was gone!
The Flying Geese Project - Finished Quilt
2 weeks ago
Thank you for the recipe. I can't wait to try my hand at Tabbouli. Chris said he has had it before but he can't remember if he likes it. (Helpful, eh?) Check this out- Trader's Joes doesn't carry wheat bulgar! I would have just assumed that they would have 5 different types or something, but none?
ReplyDeleteI've been making more of an effort to make meatless meals, too. You know, the whole eat meat sparingly thing. We probably have 3-4 non-meat meals a week. It gets easier as you go.
ReplyDeleteMashed rutabagas sounds intriguing!
That second tabouli looks so yummy!