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Fake tabbouleh

Fake tabbouleh

“I call this fake tabbouleh because it doesn’t have any burghul in it as you’d normally expect. Instead I’ve used amaranth, a grain that’s as ancient as that other superfood, quinoa. It has an unusual slippery texture that I love and it’s full of flavour, too. Everyone has their own version of tabbouleh; this is mine.”

Fake tabbouleh

Serves 4
Cooking Time Prep time 20 mins, cook 8 mins
300 gm   amaranth grains (see note)
2 tbsp   extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp   aged red wine vinegar
Juice of   ½ lemon
¾ cup   (loosely packed) flat-leaf parsley, coarsely torn
1 cup   (loosely packed) coriander, coarsely torn
1   Lebanese cucumber, seeds removed, diced
80 gm   grape tomatoes, halved
To serve:   fried shallots (see note)
Cumin yoghurt
50 gm   thick plain yoghurt
2½ tsp   ground cumin
Juice of   ½ lemon


1 Bring a saucepan of water to the simmer over medium heat, add amaranth, cook until just tender (8 minutes; do not boil), drain, rinse under cold water, then drain again. Set aside.
2 Meanwhile, for cumin yoghurt, combine ingredients in a bowl, season to taste and set aside.
3 Combine oil, vinegar and lemon juice in a bowl, season to taste and set aside.
4 Combine amaranth, herbs, cucumber and tomato in a bowl, drizzle with a little dressing, season to taste and toss lightly to combine. Scatter with fried shallots, top with cumin yoghurt and serve.

Note Amaranth grain is available from select health-food shops. Fried shallots are available from Asian grocers.

This recipe is from the January 2012 issue of Australian Gourmet Traveller.

RECIPE Robert Marchetti PHOTOGRAPHY Prue Ruscoe STYLING Emma Knowles

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