Tabouli - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 c. dry bulgur wheat
1 1/2 c. boiling water
1 to 1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. fresh lemon juice
1/4 c. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
black pepper to taste
4 scallions, finely minced
1 packed c. minced parsley
10 to 15 fresh mint leaves, minced, or 1 to 2 Tbsp. dried
2 medium-sized ripe tomatoes, diced
1/2 c. cooked chickpeas (optional)
1 medium bell pepper, diced (optional)
1 small cucumber, seeded and minced (optional)

Preparation

Combine bulgur and boiling water in a medium to large bowl. Cover and let stand until the bulgur is tender (20 to 30 minutes, minimum).
Add salt, lemon juice, garlic and black pepper and mix thoroughly.
Cover tightly and refrigerate until about 30 minutes before serving.