Description
This vibrant falafel salad with spiced bulgur, labneh, and harissa is a hearty, flavorful meal packed with texture, color, and Middle Eastern flair.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Salad Base
- 6 cups fresh spinach (roughly torn, 150 grams)
- 4 tablespoons chopped mint
- 1/2 english cucumber (cut in cubes)
- 1/2 red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
- 4 dates (cut in small cubes)
- 1/4 cup pistachios (dry roasted and roughly chopped)
- 5 1/2 ounces labneh (roll to 8 small balls or buy pre-made labneh balls)
- 1/3 cup green olives (I had garlic-filled, 50 grams)
- 5 ounces uncooked bulgur (200 milliliters)
- 1 1/3 cup water (315 milliliters, depending on bulgur package instructions)
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
Harissa dressing
- 2 teaspoons harissa (homemade* or store-bought)
- 3 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
To serve
- Falafel (homemade** or store-bought)
- Hummus (homemade or store-bought)
- Batbout bread (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Prepare the crispy baked falafel: Make sure you make your favorite falafel while the bulgur is cooking (step 2). Here is my falafel recipe.
- Cook the bulgur: In a dry skillet, toast ½ teaspoon each of fennel seeds, cumin seeds, and coriander seeds until fragrant. Cook bulgur in water according to package directions, and the toasted spices. Let cool a little and fluff with a fork.
- Make the harissa dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together harissa, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. Set aside.
- Prepare the salad base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the spinach, mint, red onion, cucumber, and slightly cooled bulgur. Toss gently with the harissa dressing to coat. Start small, give it a taste, and see if you want more of the spicy dressing.
- Assemble and decorate: Divide the salad base among four plates or bowls. Top each with pomegranate arils, dates, pistachios, olives, and labneh balls. Add 4-6 falafel per serving, either on top or to the side.
- Serve: Serve with hummus and batbout bread.
Notes
* Recipe for harissa
** Recipe for crispy baked falafel
- Prep Time: 0 hours
- Additional Time: 0 hours
- Cook Time: 0 hours
- Category: Main Courses
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 13.1
- Sodium: 1636
- Fat: 28.8
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 25.5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 77.9
- Fiber: 15.5
- Protein: 20.7
- Cholesterol: 7.5