Name: Beetroot and herb tabbouleh
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 6-8 as a side dish
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Ingredients: 4 evenly sized beetroots (about 700g total),washed and trimmed; 2 tbsp olive oil; 150g burghul; 2 tsp ground cumin; 1 ½ tbsp olive oil; 1 clove garlic,crushed; ½ red onion,finely chopped; 1 cup mint leaves,chopped; 1 cup coriander leaves,chopped; 1 cup kale leaves,deveined and torn (we used dinosaur kale)

Festive beetroot and burghul tabbouleh.Katrina Meynink

easyTime:1-2 hoursServes:6-8 as a side dish

This festive salad is equal parts beautiful to look at and hard working;partnering well with a range of proteins from lamb to prawns. I like to roast beetroot with its skin on,once cooked it is quick and easy to peel and it adds to the veg's earthy flavour.

Ingredients

4 evenly sized beetroots (about 700g total),washed and trimmed
2 tbsp olive oil
150g burghul
2 tsp ground cumin
1 ½ tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic,crushed
½ red onion,finely chopped
1 cup mint leaves,chopped
1 cup coriander leaves,chopped
1 cup kale leaves,deveined and torn (we used dinosaur kale)

Toasted almonds

100g flaked almonds
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp ground cumin
pinch salt
zest of 1 lemon

Method

Step1
Preheat oven to 180C.
Step2
Place the beetroot on a large sheet of foil and give them a good splash of olive oil. Cover tightly and enclose the foil to create a parcel and roast for 90 minutes or until the beetroot is tender when pierced with a skewer.
Step3
Add the burghul to a bowl and cover with boiling water (or stock of your preference). Set aside for approximately 50 minutes or until the grains have softened. Strain off any residual liquid.
Step4
Place two of the beetroots,the 2 teaspoons of cumin,olive oil and garlic in a blender and blitz to a thick puree that resembles hummus consistency. Add the puree to a large bowl with the burghul and red onion and toss to coat – it will seem quite wet.
Step5
Chop the remaining two beetroots into bite-sized cubes – keep these relatively large to add texture to the salad.
Step6
Place a frypan over medium heat add the butter,remaining one teaspoon of cumin and salt. Once foaming,add the flaked almonds and cook for about 45 seconds or until the nuts are just golden.
Step7
Add the toasted nuts,beetroot chunks,mint,coriander and kale to the beetroot-burghul mixture. Season generously with salt and pepper,toss together then serve warm or cold.