Armenian Garden Salad Recipes

ARMENIAN BULGUR SALAD (ITCH OR EECH)

Steps:

• In a large sauté pan over medium high heat, warm the olive oil then cook the onions and green pepper just until the onion begins to soften, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for just one minute. Add the chopped tomatoes, salt, pepper and cayenne and cook covered for 10 minutes. Add the water and bulgur. Stir to coat the bulgur. Cover and cook on low heat for 10 more minutes. Remove from the heat, stir and cover for an additional 10 minutes.
• Allow to cool to room temperature. Stir in the lemon juice before refrigerating.
• Top with green onion, fresh parsley and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil before serving.

ARMENIAN-STYLE POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Transfer sliced potatoes into a large pot with enough cold water to cover the potatoes by a couple of inches. Stir in 1 rounded tablespoon kosher salt and 2 ½ teaspoons dried mint. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and let cook until tender, about 15 minutes, checking every 5 to 6 minutes for doneness. Drain well.
• Transfer cooked potatoes to a large mixing bowl and let cool slightly.
• While potatoes cool, heat ¼ cup olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add red onion, red bell pepper, garlic, and a pinch of salt; cook and stir for just 1 minute. Turn off the heat and stir in remaining dried mint.
• Drizzle freshly squeezed lemon juice into potatoes and toss gently with a spatula. Add green onions, red onion mixture, remaining olive oil, fresh mint, fresh parsley, salt to taste, black pepper, chili flakes, and cayenne. Mix with a spatula until combined.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled and flavors have melded, 3 to 4 hours.
• Unwrap; stir, taste, and adjust seasonings as needed to personal tastes. The salad almost always needs more salt stirred in once it's tasted after being chilled. Serve.

ARMENIAN TOMATO AND HERB SALAD

Steps:

• Chop the fresh ingredients as stated above.
• Combine in a large bowl.
• Just before serving, sprinkle over sumac and salt then dress with lemon juice and olive oil.