Bulgur Meatloaf With Prunes And Gouda Recipes

BEEF AND BULGUR PATTIES

Steps:

• Place the bulgur and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl and add the boiling water. Soak until tender but slightly chewy, 20 minutes. Strain to remove any excess moisture.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch of black pepper. Cook, stirring, until soft and starting to brown, about 4 minutes. Add the cumin and allspice, and stir until very fragrant and the onions are evenly coated in the spices, about 1 minute. Transfer the onions to a large bowl to cool. Carefully wipe out the skillet to use again later.
• Mix together the hummus, yogurt, 1 teaspoon of the lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Add the bulgur, ground beef, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to the onions. Gently mix together and form 4 patties, each just under 1/2-inch thick.
• Heat the reserved skillet with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat. When the oil starts to shimmer, add the patties, making sure to leave some space between them. Cook until the patties are cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes per side.
• Toss together the greens, pomegranate seeds, cucumber, the remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice, the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl. Divide the patties and salad among four plates. Serve each with pita and a dollop of the yogurt sauce.

BULGUR PILAF WITH DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS

Steps:

• Place the apricots and prunes in a bowl, cover with water and soak overnight or for several hours. Place a strainer over a bowl, and drain the dried fruit. Cut in thin slices.
• Measure out 2 cups of the soaking water (or add enough water to make 2 cups), and bring to a simmer. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the bulgur, and stir constantly for a few minutes until the bulgur smells toasty. Add the salt, dried fruit and water, and bring to a boil. Boil for five minutes, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for eight to 10 minutes until the water has been absorbed. Remove from the heat, cover with a clean dish towel and place a lid over the towel. Allow the bulgur to sit for 15 minutes.
• Spoon the bulgur into a serving dish, top with the nuts and serve with plain yogurt on the side.

MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
• Soak bread crumbs in milk in a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, cook onion, garlic, celery, and carrot in butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Cover skillet and reduce heat to low, then cook until carrot is tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, allspice, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Add to bread-crumb mixture.
• Finely chop bacon and prunes in a food processor, then add to onion mixture along with beef, pork, eggs, and parsley and mix together with your hands.
• Pack mixture into a 9- by 5-inch oval loaf in a 13- by 9-inch shallow baking dish or pan.
• Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of meatloaf registers 155°F, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.