Millet Tabbouleh – Vegan Valentines Day Menu {oil-free}

One of the most thoughtful ways to show how much you love and care about someone is by preparing them a delicious and healthy vegan meal. Jasmine of Sweet Simple Vegan and I are spending our first Valentine’s Day together and we thought it would be fun to plan a menu to share with you.  Consisting of 4 courses, we’ve prepared oil free and vegan dishes that all of your friends and loved ones will be swooning over. I am a lover of Mediterranean cuisine, whether it be hummus, falafel, or spinach pie, warm me up some fresh pita bread, and I am going in!  First up, we have this delicious Millet Tabbouleh that is simple to make and bursting with flavor. The combination of fresh herbs and hearty millet, paired with a fresh squeeze of lemon, brings this dish to life. It only takes a little time to prepare, making it the perfect starter to a swoon-worthy Valentine’s Day feast.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

½ cups dry millet
1 cups water (or broth, if you’d prefer)
3 roma tomatoes, diced
6 green onions, finely chopped
1 large cucumber, diced
1/2 red pepper, diced
½ cup finely chopped parsley
½ cup fresh mint, finely chopped
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp of black pepper
1/4-1/2 tsp pink himalayan salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Cooking the Millet:

1. Toast millet In a large, dry saucepan, over medium heat for 4-5 minutes or until it turns a rich golden brown and the grains become fragrant. Be careful not to burn.
2. Add the water and salt to the pan. Since the pan is hot, the water will sputter a bit when you pour it in. After adding water and salt, give the millet a good stir.
3. Bring the liquid to a boil on medium high.
4. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, until the grains absorb most of the water, about 15 minutes. Avoid the temptation to peek a great deal or stir too much (unless its sticking to the bottom). Stirring too vigorously will break up the grains and change the texture.
5. Remove From Heat and Let Stand, covered and removed from heat, for 10 minutes.
6. Fluff and cool

Preparing the Tabbouleh

1. Mix veggies, herbs and spices together very well before adding to the millet, then fold/mix together w/the millet before letting set in fridge to marinate.
2. Enjoy!