Bulgur Gazpacho Recipes

AUTHENTIC GAZPACHO RECIPE

Steps:

• Wash and dry all of the vegetables very well-if you prefer to peel the tomatoes you can, although I usually leave the skin on.
• Cut the tomatoes into 4 slices (leaving the core behind) and put into your blender.
• Halve, core, and de-seed the pepper. Cut it into a few slices and add to the blender.
• Peel the garlic and slice it in half. Remove the core (which often results in bitterness when not cooked).
• Cut the onion into a few slices and add it to the blender too.
• Peel the cucumber and cut it in half. Add half to the blender and save the other half for a topping.
• Blend the vegetables at a high speed until it is completely pureed.
• Add the salt and vinegar and, while blending on a slow speed, slowly add the olive oil.
• Taste and adjust salt and vinegar. If the texture is too thick for your liking add some cold water.
• Refrigerate and serve VERY cold! Add as many (or as few) toppings as you like.

GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Fill a 6-quart pot halfway full of water, set over high heat and bring to a boil.
• Make an X with a paring knife on the bottom of the tomatoes. Drop the tomatoes into the boiling water for 15 seconds, remove and transfer to an ice bath and allow to cool until able to handle, approximately 1 minute. Remove and pat dry. Peel, core and seed the tomatoes. When seeding the tomatoes, place the seeds and pulp into a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl in order to catch the juice. Press as much of the juice through as possible and then add enough bottled tomato juice to bring the total to 1 cup.
• Place the tomatoes and juice into a large mixing bowl. Add the cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeno, garlic clove, olive oil, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire, cumin, salt and pepper and stir to combine. Transfer 1 1/2 cups of the mixture to a blender and puree for 15 to 20 seconds on high speed. Return the pureed mixture to the bowl and stir to combine. Cover and chill for 2 hours and up to overnight. Serve with chiffonade of basil.

MEDITERRANEAN BULGUR

Steps:

• Toast 1 cup bulgur in a dry skillet until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Pour 2 1/2 cups boiling water over the bulgur in a heat-resistant bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let stand for 15 minutes, then toss with a little olive oil, some chopped dried apricots and olives, and salt and pepper to taste.

BULGUR, SPINACH AND TOMATO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the bulgur and salt to taste, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, until the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat, uncover and place a clean dish towel over the pan, then replace the lid. Allow to sit undisturbed for 10 minutes or longer. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Pulse the tomatoes with their juice in a food processor. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a large, wide skillet or a shallow 3-quart saucepan and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds, and add the tomatoes, sugar, salt to taste, and allspice or cinnamon. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the tomatoes have cooked down to a fragrant sauce, about 20 minutes. Taste, adjust salt and add freshly ground pepper.
• Steam the spinach until it wilts, 1 to 2 minutes, rinse briefly with cold water and squeeze out excess water. Do this by the handful to get out all the water. Chop coarsely. Add to the bulgur. Add the mint and the chickpeas if using, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce and toss together.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 2-quart gratin or baking dish. Spread the bulgur mixture in the dish in an even layer. Top with the remaining tomato sauce. Sprinkle on the cheese. Drizzle on the last tablespoon of olive oil. Bake 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned. Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.

HOW TO COOK BULGUR

Steps:

• Combine bulgur, 1 1/2 cups water, salt, and a drizzle of oil in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook over low heat until tender, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Use immediately, or spread on a rimmed baking sheet to let cool.

25 EASY WAYS TO COOK WITH BULGUR

Steps:

• Select your favorite recipe.
• Organize all the required ingredients.
• Prep a delicious recipe in 30 minutes or less!

BULGUR GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Bring the water and 1/2 the tomato puree to a boil. Pour over the bulgur and cover for 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Combine remaining ingredients and toss with the bulgur. Chill for 1 hour before serving.

BULGUR BREADS

Steps:

• You will need a medium-sized bowl, a food processor (optional), unglazed quarry tiles to fit on the bottom rack of your oven, and a rolling pin.
• Place the bulgur and salt in a food processor, pour the boiling water over, and stir or process briefly to mix. Let stand for thirty minutes. When you come back to the bulgur mixture, it will look like the bulgur has totally absorbed the water. However, proceed by adding 1 cup flour and the minced onion, and process for 1 minute. The dough should come together into a large ball as you process. If it doesn't, feel the dough: If it feels dry and floury, start the processor, add 2 tablespoons warm water and process for 30 seconds; again if the bulgur and flour still don't come together, add another 2 tablespoons water and process.
• Once a ball of dough forms, process for 2 to 3 minutes longer, then turn out onto a well-floured surface. (If your processor is too small to handle the whole dough, work with half at a time, adding 1/2 cup flour to each portion, then combine when you turn out of the processor and knead by hand). Knead by hand for 4 to 5 minutes.
• Alternatively, if you do not have a food processor, combine bulgur, salt and boiling water in a medium-sized bowl and let stand for 30 minutes. Add onions and 1/2 cup flour and stir in. Add another 1/2 cup flour and use your hands to fold flour into the dough. With a little persistence, you will soon have a dough (although somewhat sticky) that you can knead. Turn out onto a well-floured kneading surface and knead for 6 or 7 minutes. Dough will be sticky at first, but will soon come together into a smooth workable dough; you may be surprised to discover how kneadable bulgur is.
• When finished kneading, cover the dough with plastic wrap and let stand until you are ready to proceed further, for 15 minutes to an hour, whatever is convenient.
• To bake, have your oven preheated to 450 degrees with baking stone or quarry tiles in place on a rack in the bottom third of the oven. Divide the dough into 8 pieces, and flatten each on a well-floured bread board. With a rolling pin, roll out one or two breads until very thin, about 8 to 10 inches in diameter. Work with only one or two at a time, as many as will fit in your oven. When ready, handle the bread gently as you place it on the hot tiles. (You can also try dusting a peel or the back of a baking sheet with flour and using peel or sheet to transfer breads to hot tiles.) Bake on one side for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes then turn over to the other side for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. The bread should begin to brown around the outside. When baked, keep breads warm by stacking them one on top of the other and wrapping them in a clean kitchen towel. Serve warm.