It seems that we're always agreeing to bring a big salad to an informal dinner party only to discover, too late, that there's no time to make a last-minute salad. No one would guess that this wonderfully fresh salad started its journey to dinner two days earlier — in fact, it requires that extra time to mellow its flavors. It's a very portable salad that can sit for hours at room temperature with no ill effects.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Place the bulgur or cracked wheat in a large salad bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup lemon juice, the olive oil, garlic, and 1 teaspoon salt; drizzle this dressing over the bulgur. Layer on the scallions, parsley, dill, mint, and cucumbers. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper over the top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 24 hours or up to 48 hours.
Step 2
Bring the salad to room temperature.
Step 3
Meanwhile, cut the fennel bulb in half from top to bottom. Cut the halves into paper-thin slices crosswise. Add the fennel and pine nuts to the salad and toss. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste and serve.
