The Politics of Tabbouleh

Lately, I've been watching reruns of The West Wing on Bravo. I like to revisit old favorite shows periodically to see how well they've aged and just to remind myself of their general kickassedness. I recently decided to rewatch ER from the beginning via TNT, which was going swimmingly until TNT decided to stop airing the show in the middle of season 13. A year of my life, down the drain. Thanks a lot, jerks! (Granted, they did replace ER with reruns of the very awesome Supernatural, but as much as I want to see Jensen Ackles on my screen every day they could have waited a few more weeks, you know? Sigh.)

Where was I? Oh, yeah. The West Wing. I was a huge fan of the first two seasons but had a hard time swallowing the condescension and naked politics of the post-September 11th season three premiere, and stopped watching some time during that season. When I saw the episodes were about to start over from the beginning, I decided to give it one more shot to see if some time and distance would change my mind. I'm only about three quarters of the way through the first season, and liking it (but not with the passion I had originally -- Aaron Sorkin characters can be much more annoying than I remembered) but the one thing that sticks out to me more than anything in this rewatch is the politics. All of the issues Bartlet's administration is dealing with? Our country is still dealing with today. Here is a list of a just a few I can remember off the top of my head:

- Don't ask, don't tell
- Campaign contribution reform, specifically in reference to corporations
- Rash call to fire someone who says something dumb on television
- Census panic
- Criticism for never getting anything accomplished (OK, this could apply to any presidency)

There are more examples that have already exited my mind, stage left. It's sort of crazy. Seriously, if C.J. didn't wear such dowdy suits and everyone didn't talk about their beepers, I would think this show was a new summer drama. I'm not trying to get political on my blog -- if I attempt to talk about politics I will inevitably just end up sounding like an idiot -- but it is pretty depressing to realize how little things have changed in the past 11 years. But this is a good thing for Sorkin, I suppose. If chunky shoes and long, baggy suit jackets come back into style, he will never have to worry about losing residuals on the reruns!

Enough about politics, as even fantasy television politics can be horrendously depressing. Let's talk about food! My CSA share this week was chock full of leafy greens of all stripes. I used to worry about not getting enough dark leafy greens in my diet, but no more. I am going to start sweating green soon. (That sounds like a euphemism for having lots o' cash. I wish.) The leafy green in my share I was most interested in this week wasn't a leafy green at all, however, but an herb: parsley. And watching The West Wing and thinking about global politics made me realize exactly what I wanted to make with it. Tabbouleh!

I seriously love tabbouleh, but many times when I buy it in the store it is disappointing: too much bulgur, too dry, not zesty enough. I like my tabbouleh to be a very lemony herb salad with grains, not the other way around. The only way I can usually get what I want? Get off my lazy butt and make it myself.

Isn't it pretty? I sure love tabbouleh. I made some substitutions for the normal bulgur based on what I had on hand, making this less of a traditional tabbouleh and more of a tabbouleh-inspired salad. (How is tabbouleh in spell check but not bulgur? Weird.) Anywho, I used this:

It is a lovely change.

Tabbouleh-Inspired Harvest Grains Salad

1 1/4 cup Trader Joe's Harvest Grains (or other grain of your choice)
2 cups flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1/4 cup mint, chopped
3/4 cup diced cucumber
1 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2-3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Juice of one large lemon
Salt & pepper to taste

Cook grains according to package directions and cool completely. Combine rest of ingredients and chill. Makes 4-6 side-dish sized servings.

The celery isn't traditional here, but I had some in my CSA and threw it in. It was tasty! I also randomly sprinkled some feta cheese I had on hand at the last minute for serving purposes, which was SUPER delicious. I highly recommend doing that.

Side note: this weird Kia commercial just came on with hamsters rapping to an old Black Sheep song. Um, what? I really think 90% of advertising is created during drug-fueled ad exec all-nighters. I'd rather picture them all just drinking scotch and smoking Lucky Strikes instead.

4 Comments

Man, I love your writing style! Yours is one of my favourite blogs.

I love the idea about sweating green. If only it meant loads of cash!

I've never made tabbouleh but I like how it uses so much parsley. I often buy herbs and use a 1/2 cup and am left with a ton that usually goes rotten in my fridge. I'd feel confident buying parsley knowing I'd use the whole thing for one dish.

Posted by: Robyn @ Frugal 'n' Fit! | 06/16/2010 at 07:46 AM

i've never watched the west wing, though i do know the actors on it have to memorize every line word for word (and talk fast). sounds like a challenge and a great, inspiring thing to watch when i'm needing to do some actor homework!

your dish looks delicious - i love all of tj's grain mixes.

Posted by: The Actors Diet | 06/16/2010 at 10:10 AM