This vibrant pomegranate and pistachio tabbouleh salad is a fun and flavoursome lunch which will perk up your day in the office.
Eating al desko
Those of you who follow me on social media will know that I recently started my first job as a qualified solicitor (yay!) In taking the role I moved from the firm I had trained at to a firm that is expert in my field. It's always stressful changing jobs: meeting new people, getting used to a new commute and taking on new workloads but there was an added complication in starting my new job. I had to start making my own lunches!
I know it sounds silly, but my previous firm provided 3 hot meals a day (if you wanted them) and along with a cafe, shop, GP and sleeping pods there wasn't an awful lot of reason to leave the office. Needless to say eating canteen food didn't do much good for my waistline so although I now have to find time to make my own lunches and dinners, it will probably do me good in the long run.
Thinking to my new packed lunch lifestyle I set off on a question for the perfect lunch box (see my round-up of the best 10 here) and now I'm trying to come up with vibrant, exciting lunches which will keep me full, last well in Tupperware and won't make me pile on any more pounds! (Maybe I'll even lose some?) That's where my recipe for Pomegranate and Pistachio Tabbouleh comes in.
Middle Eastern Flair!
I absolutely LOVE middle eastern flavours. I've never been so lucky to travel to Turkey, Egypt, Yemen or Oman, or anywhere even remotely as exciting, but I've been trying to get my fix of Middle Easter food from an amazing Shawarma stall in Borough Market and our local Lebanese restaurant (Warda, Southgate) for the last 3 years. You might remember that I posted a more authentic recipe for tabbouleh back in 2015. Well now I'm back with a slightly more pimped out version!
In my more traditional recipe pomegranate is optional but I love the arils not only for their bursts of flavour but for their bright pink colour. This contrasts well with the green of the parsley for a fun, playful salad. Pistachios also aren't usually found in tabbouleh, in fact I've never come across a variety that does contain nuts. But, they do give a satisfying crunch and extra bite to the salad which it otherwise lacks. They also make you feel fuller for longer helping to bulk this out as a lunchtime meal in of itself.
The recipe - Pomegranate and Pistachio Tabbouleh
Pomegranate and Pistachio Tabbouleh
Ingredients
- 40 g bulgur wheat
- 7 cherry tomatoes quartered
- 0.25 large cucumber diced
- 4 spring onions sliced
- 1 pomegranate arils removed
- 4 tablespoon pistachios
- 1 bunch parsley leaves only (finely chopped)
- 1 bunch mint leaves, finely chopped
- 2 lemons juice only
- 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon coriander
Instructions
- Cook bulgur wheat according to your packets instructions (usually 10-15mins in boiling water) spread half out onto a baking sheet and cook for 10 minutes at 160C.
- In a large bowl, mix the finely chopped vegetables, pomegranate and nuts: then add the lemon juice, olive oil and spices.
- Next add the herbs along with and toss well.
- Season to taste with the salt and pepper lemon.
- Finally scatter with the toasted bulgur wheat.
Nutrition
One of the best things about tabbouleh of any kind, is that it tastes better the longer it has a chance for the ingredients to sit and meld. Make the tabbouleh overnight (keeping the toasted bulgur wheat separate to stop it getting soggy) and serve at lunch the next day.
More Middle Eastern inspired recipes
For the full range of recipes check out the Middle Eastern Recipe Archive.
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
This is a gorgeous lunch - full of flavour as well as bright and colourful. Enough to cheer anyone up facing an afternoon of meetings.
Nadia says
I LOVE tabbouleh, it's my favourite salad 😀 parsley is such an underrated herb and it's so nutritious! This may not be traditional, but I think adding pistachios and pomegranates is a really nice touch. Adds more texture and bright colours 🙂
Emma Walton says
Thanks Nadia 😀 I must admit I don't know much about the nutrition of parsley so that's an added bonus for me!
Monika @ MY FOOD & HAPPINESS says
This is exactly my type of healthy lunch! Love the colours and the flavour combinations, I am a big fan of middle eastern food as well 🙂
Emma Walton says
Thanks Monika! It's my go to packed lunch now always puts a smile on my face!
Claire @foodiequine says
This looks and sounds amazing! Can't believe your previous workplace offered three meals a day - that sounds like a recipe for gluttony to me!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Claire. To be honest it could be a blessing and a curse!
Vahini Manohar says
Nice reciepe with colourful, delicious and with health benefits.
Emma Walton says
Thanks Vahini there's certainly plenty of goodness in here to keep you going!
Bethany @ athletic avocado says
So many wonderful colorful flavors present in this dish! It looks incredible!
Emma Walton says
Thank you so much bethany you're very kind. It's as delicious as it is beautiful 🙂
Ali @ Home & Plate says
That tabbouleh looks so healthy and perfect for spring. What a great combination of flavors you have going there. This would make a great dish to serve at a party.
Emma Walton says
Thanks Ali! You're spot on this is a real crowd pleaser and SO easy to make in large quantities. IT would be ideal for a summer party or taken along to a BBQ too.
Erin @ Thanks for Cookin'! says
This looks amazing! I love both pomegranates and pistachios but have never had them in the same dish. I don't have much experience with middle eastern cuisine, but if it's all like this, sign me up!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Erin 🙂 I'm glad you like it! There are lots of fresh, vibrant dishes like this in middle eastern cuisine. I think I might share a fattoush recipe soon. Keep your eyes peeled!
Olga says
Emma, it looks perfect and tasty! Can’t wait to have this anytime of the day, love it!