Mtashtash (متشتش) is a satiating salad with an abundance of bulgur, commonly prepared in the Akkar region of Northern Lebanon. It is also known as blileh or even “fake tabbouleh” (tabbouleh kezzebeh – تبولة كذّابة). The word mtashtash means soaked and refers to the bulgur that is mixed with the other ingredients. This traditional recipe is typically prepared during Lent and is served with cooked or fresh cabbage leaves, or it can be scooped with fresh lettuce leaves.
Mtashtash Recipe:
(Recipe courtesy of Rose Bitar from Fneidik, Akkar)
Serves: 5 people
Calories: 650 calories per serving
Preparation Time: 30 mins
Ingredients:
2 cups of coarse bulgur
5 tbsp. of chickpeas (cooked)
1 tbsp. of tomato paste
1 tsp. of chili paste
2 garlic cloves (crushed)
1 cup of olive oil
2 medium sized tomatoes
2 bunches of parsley
1 bunch of mint
4 green onions
Juice of 1 squeezed lemon
Salt to taste
Preparation Steps:
- Wash the bulgur thoroughly.
- In a bowl, rub the bulgur with the garlic, olive oil, tomato paste and chili paste; mix the ingredients well and leave them aside.
- Finely chop the parsley, mint and green onions and add them to the bulgur mix.
- Dice the tomatoes and add them to the bulgur mix.
- Finally, add the chickpeas, lemon juice and salt and mix well.
- Serve cold with boiled or fresh cabbages or with fresh lettuce leaves.