Tabouli

Ingredients

 * ⅓ cup bulgur wheat
 * 2 cloves garlic crushed
 * 3 whole lemons, juiced
 * 1 bunch mint, fresh
 * 8 bunch parsley large bunches, 8 cups chopped
 * 4 whole scallions both white and green parts, sliced thin
 * 3 whole tomatoes, ripe, diced
 * salt to taste
 * black pepper freshly ground, to taste
 * olive oil optional, highly recommended for taste. tablespoon to a quarter cup

Directions

 * 1) Cover bulgur with warm water and soak for 15 minutes.
 * 2) Squeeze out excess water.
 * 3) Mix in the lemon juice, crushed garlic, salt and pepper.
 * 4) Allow this to rest until bulgur is soft, about 30 minutes.
 * 5) Wash the mint and parsley well and dry it.
 * 6) Chop parsley and mint finely using a knife or food processor (if using a food processor it helps to use the pulse in order to prevent chopping to fine and turning the herbs to a puree).
 * 7) Combine the mint, parsley, scallions and tomatoes and bulgur mixture.
 * 8) Toss with olive oil as desired.
 * 9) Add lemon juice, salt or pepper as desired to adjust the taste.
 * 10) Serve with small romaine lettuce leaves, use them as scoops.