This dish is perfect for when you crave a large meal but want it to be as healthy and as low in calories as possible.
I fell in love with this dish after trying it at Kosebasi, a Turkish restaurant in JBR, where it’s called ‘salatasi’ — think tabbouleh without the wheat (bulghur). It really is utterly delicious and super speedy to make. Supermarkets sell pre-chopped parsley so grab yourself a packed of that, juicy plum tomatoes, cucumbers, thyme leaves, pomegranate molasses (the best ones hide in Dubai Spice Souq or Union Co-op), sumac (optional) and get going!
Parsley, loaded with vitamin C, antioxidants, vitamin K, vitamin A, folic acid and beta-carotene, has tremendous benefits beyond garnishing your plate and killing bad breath.
This recipe serves four as a side salad or two as a large main meal.
Ingredients
250g fresh parsley, chopped
2 medium plum tomatoes
3 cucumbers
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp sumac
1 tb olive oil
Pomegranate molasses
Preparation
Dicing the tomatoes and cucumbers and mix all of the above in a large bowl. Drizzle on the pomegranate molasses until the salad is drenched nicely.
Note: Sometimes this salad is served with crushed walnuts on top. I love serving it with a healthy dose of low-fat yogurt and warm Arabic bread. I would simply munch on the juicy salad with yogurt and soak up the juice with bread. The contrast of tangy and sweet depth of the pomegranate molasses is stunning. Add chopped green olives and mint leaves if you wish to add more punch to the salad.
— Noura Al Imam is the founder of Yogalates Bliss in Dubai, a yoga and Pilates certified teacher, outdoor enthusiast, foodie fanatic, a travel-addict and an entrepreneur at heart. Visit www.yogalatesblissindubai.com
