Apricot Saffron Bulgur Recipes

BULGUR WITH APRICOTS AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Toast almonds in a dry small heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant and pale golden, about 2 minutes.
• Cook onion in oil in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until softened and beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Add bulgur and cook, stirring, 2 minutes.
• Stir in water, salt, and pepper and simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Remove from heat, then add apricots and butter and stir until butter is melted. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Stir in parsley and almonds.

APRICOT-SAFFRON BULGUR

Steps:

• Prepare bulgur according to directions on package (usually boil 2x as much water as you will make bulgur, take off heat, add bulgur, stir, let sit 5 mins).
• Stir saffron into bulgur (you can do this at any time, you can add saffron into the water as it boils -- I usually do -- or you can add it after the bulgur is made -- which I did when I forgot it!).
• While bulgur is cooking, sauté onions in butter over med-high heat, as soon as onions begin to get soft (2 mins) add apricots. Lower heat to med-low and sauté for an additional 10 minutes.
• Add sliced almonds to the apricot/onion mix.
• When bulgur is ready, add apricot/onion/almond mix; fluff and serve!

SAFFRON RICE PILAF WITH APRICOTS AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion, ground saffron and cloves and saut&5 minutes. Add rice and stir to coat grains. Mix in chicken stock, dried apricots and currants. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Fluff rice with fork. Add slivered almonds and season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and serve.

BULGUR PILAF WITH DRIED APRICOTS

Steps:

• Cook onion in oil in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes.
• Add spices and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in remaining ingredients with 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes.
• Fluff with a fork before serving.

BULGUR, APRICOT, AND PINE NUT DRESSING

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook pine nuts, stirring constantly, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• Add onion to pan, then reduce heat to moderately low and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, about 6 minutes. Add bulgur and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in water, apricots, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Remove pan from heat and let stand, covered, until bulgur is tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in nuts, feta, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.