What Is Tabbouleh? 

Tabbouleh, also known as tabouli or tabbouleh salad, is a popular Middle Eastern side dish. No matter how it is spelled, the root of the word comes from the Arabic word ‘taabil’ which means to season or spice. The dish is believed to be more than 4,000 years old, having first been eaten by people in the mountains of Lebanon and Syria. 

Today, there are many variations of the dish, but it always consists of fresh produce and contains a few staple ingredients such as bulgur, parsley, tomatoes, olive oil, and lemon juice.

With its satisfying texture and a bright, savory flavor, it’s not hard to see why tabbouleh has quickly grown in popularity throughout the world. In fact, it’s won over the heart of so many that the first Saturday of July is known as National Tabbouleh Day in Lebanon. 

If you’ve never had it, tabbouleh is sure to become a fast favorite in your home.  

Is It Healthy? 

Generally speaking, tabbouleh is an extremely healthy dish. Naturally nut-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian, it’s full of fiber, vitamins, and nutrients, making it a nutritious option. 

An upgraded coleslaw that's crunchy, fresh and delicious. Made with cabbage, apples, cranberries and almonds and it's all coated in sweet and tangy dressing. It's the perfect side for BBQ's, parties or picnics!

Apple Slaw Recipe

Who doesn't love coleslaw? It's crunchy, it's creamy, it has just enough sweetness, and it goes with just about anything. It's always quick to be polished off.

Here you get the perfect blend of textures and flavors with the mix-in additions of apples, cranberries, almonds and optional cheese. And it's covered in a more wholesome, lighter Greek yogurt dressing (versus a classic coleslaw dressing that has as much as a cup of mayonnaise in it).

This apple slaw recipe has a pleasant mild flavor to it, but if you'd like a more pronounced flavor you can add in a tablespoon of dijon mustard to the dressing.

And if you want to skip a step and go with a shortcut, you can use a coleslaw mix in place of the shredded cabbage and carrots. Also just chop the apples instead of getting paticular and cutting into matchsticks to save time.

I think it's time for pulled pork or pulled chicken sandwiches this week for dinner, don't you? And then of course this homemade coleslaw to go with it!

Fresh Made Almond Milk

Making this DIY almond milk is easily the superior version of almond milks. It actually tastes quite different from store-bought versions because it's just so good! I was completely surprised myself the first time I made it.

This homemade variations doesn't included additives such as thickeners like added guar or gellan gums (which to some can cause stomach upset), and the almond flavor here just comes from the almonds not added flavor. I would suspect there's a greater ratio of almonds used in this almond milk vs. factory processed as well (though I have no way of proving this, I'm giving that judgment based on taste alone).

Isn't making things from scratch and that bit of self sufficiency involved with it just such a gratifying process (and we tend to appreciate it more too right)? Even when it's this easy, totaling about 5 minutes hands on prep time.

It's also a handy know-how for when you may run out of store-bought milk of any kind but you're wanting that bowl of muesli or cereal with it.

You'll just need a few special tools including a nut bag or a clean tea towel for straining, and a high speed blender to finely pulverize the soaked almonds.

Uses and Variations

Once you've completed the simple process there are countless uses for it. You can drink as is, serve with cereal or oatmeal, add to soups, makes sauces such as curries, or create desserts along the lines of pudding and so forth.

You can even change up the flavor of the almond milk. Making it taste horchata-like by blending with a cinnamon stick, turning it into chocolate almond milk or hot chocolate, or giving it a spiced flavor and sunny glow by making it golden milk (turmeric milk). And don't forget the fruity options like strawberry milk by adding a strained homemade strawberry sauce.

I'd say start with the basic recipe below to taste it's pure goodness, then explore all the other flavor options and uses from there.

Sweet Brown Sugar or Honey Glazed Carrots

You may find these are reminiscent of sweet potatoes but with a fraction of the time effort! And you only need 5 ingredients (plus salt and pepper).

Carrots are sliced on a biased, steamed in a skillet until nearly tender, then sautéed with butter and brown sugar or honey.

It's a simple method that has plenty of leeway for adaptations (variations I'd recommend are adding spices, tossing in dried nuts or dried cranberries, and finishing with other herbs such as chives or dill).

You'll find it to be a quick go-to side dish that will compliment so many of your favorite entrees, they may even take center stage for favorite item on the dinner plate. Even kids will love these!

It's often the simplest things that are the best.

Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe

You can have this Honey Mustard Chicken on the table in under 45 minutes! And there's minimal hands on prep work since it's baked, no tending to the chicken in a skillet.

I think you'll love the multi-dimensional depth of flavor this easy chicken recipe has, and the slight texture from the coarsely ground mustard. It keeps things deliciously interesting.

I recommend serving it with brown rice or white rice, or fresh cooked noodles tossed with butter, along with a vibrant green steamed vegetable such as broccoli, asparagus or green beans. All making this an easy balanced meal.

Sautéing Green Beans

I think for many the go to ways to cook green beans are to boil, steam and roast them. But after trying this simple skillet method though you'll probably realize sautéing green beans hasn't gotten the attention and praise it deserves.

I'd say it's easily one of the best ways to make them! Once you try them you may likely be thinking "who knew green beans could be so good?" And you can have them ready in under 15 minutes!

Even the kids might come to enjoy "those green things" on their plate rather than turning their noses to another vegetable.

It's amazing what that lightly browned flavor of sautéing can do, along with a hint of butter. This is such a tasty way to upgrade to fresh green beans!

Quick Lemon Orzo

Welcome to a new favorite dinner side that goes with just about anything!

It couldn't be easier to make yet each bite is brimming with flavor and it's enjoyed by people of all ages. It's also a versatile recipe and easy to switch things up (see variations below).

I love to serve it with a quick pan seared chicken recipe, salmon or shrimp to keep the quick dinner theme going.

It's also great for meal prep (just add a little extra broth or oil as it tends to dry overnight in the fridge).

Try it soon, it's practically guaranteed to be a repeat as a dinner staple!

Cozy Chicken Lemon Orzo Soup

Let's just start by saying this is a must try soup! It's a ready favorite and a family favorite.

It's nutritious, full of flavor, easy to prepare, cooks in one pot, and it's the perfect pick me up, feel better soup.

You'll love it on a cold blistery day or even on a summery day with its vibrant lemony goodness.

Serve it with fresh hearty buttered bread or a side salad to finish the meal.

I think you're going to love every last sip of this!

Lentil Salad

This makes a great lunch or dinner side. It has an abundance of freshness along with a good heartiness to it, and it's easy to make.

You'll find it has a great blend of textures and flavors and it pairs beautifully with chicken or salmon.

You can use a variety of herbs based on what you have. I always like to include parsley then for the second herb addition opt for either cilantro, basil or mint - each will give a different flavor profile so it's nice to switch things up.

Serve it room temp or nice and chilled for a refreshing salad (just keep in the fridge within 2 hours of preparing).

Easy Homemade Protein Drink

Are you tired of those shelf stable protein drinks that have an incredibly long list of ingredients, many of which are hard to read and pronounce? They often leave us to wonder if they're really healthy or more of just a marketing gimmick.

This frothy protein shake is made up of natural ingredients, it has a fresher taste, and it has a velvety delicious chocolate peanut butter flavor that will leave you craving more!

It's also easy to customize (see ideas below) which is another great thing about making it from scratch, you can use up what you have on hand.

It makes a tempting addition to breakfast (chocolate for breakfast? Yes please!), a tasty midday snack, or great kickstart to enjoy before a workout. And you'll love that it tastes far more natural than many of those you'll buy.

What's not to love here?

Then as a side note if you are looking for more ways to use up a big jar of peanut butter powder try it in oatmeal, add to smoothies, mix in yogurt, add to pancakes, or sprinkle over fruit like apples. It's delicious!