Authentic Tabbouleh

½ cup fine bulgur

6 ripe tomatoes, finely chopped

½ onion, minced

5 bunches Italian parsley, minced

½ bunch fresh mint leaves, minced

1 bunch green onions, minced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

½ cup vegetable oil

¾ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

salt and ground black pepper to taste

cayenne pepper, or to taste

Wash and rinse bulgur until runoff water becomes clear. Place prepared bulgur in a large bowl. Add tomatoes to bowl; stir to combine. Allow mixture to sit until bulgur absorbs tomato juice and expands, 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Add onion, parsley, mint, and green onions to bowl. Stir to combine.

Mix together tomato paste, vegetable oil, and lemon juice in a bowl, stirring until thoroughly combined. Add dressing to salad; mix to coat. Season with salt, ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste.