Bulgur Pilaf With Meat Recipes

BULGUR PILAF

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
• Stir in the tomato paste, chopped tomatoes and green peppers, and continue to cook with the onions until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
• Add the bulgur, cumin, salt and pepper, and stir to combine until the bulgur is completely coated in the tomato paste, about 2-3 minutes.
• Add the chickpeas on top along with 3 cups of chicken broth or water and stir to combine. Remove from heat, close the lid and allow the bulgur to absorb the liquid for 10 minutes. Open the lid and fluff with a fork.
• Serve with chopped parsley and fresh vegetables, if desired.

BULGUR PILAF

Steps:

• Base: Heat oil over medium heat in a large saute pan or pot. Add onion, garlic, pepper, and roma tomatoes, cooking until pepper is soft, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes.
• Bulgur: Add bulgur and water, stir to combine, cover, and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until water is absorbed and bulgur is tender (add more water ½ cup at a time if bulgur is still tough). Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve: Warm or cold, optionally topped with olives, sliced red onion, parsley, slivered almonds, or feta cheese.

BULGUR PILAF WITH CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine bulgur and boiling water. Let stand 10 minutes to soften.
• In a deep-sided skillet with a lid heat olive oil and sesame oil over medium heat.
• Add the onion and cook, stirring until softened, about 3 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, about 1 minute.
• Add the chickpeas, broth, reserved bulgur (and any accumulated water at bottom of bowl), pimiento (if using), cumin, salt and pepper. Stir well to combine; bring mixture to boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until the bulgur has absorbed all the liquid, about 15 minutes.
• If the bulgur seems to wet (it should be moist but not soggy), increase heat to medium and cook, uncovered, stirring often, until fairly dry.
• Fluff with a fork and serve warm.

SPICED BULGUR PILAF WITH FISH

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a lidded flameproof casserole dish. Tip in the onions and cook for 10 mins until soft and golden. Add the carrots and cumin, and cook for 2 mins more. Stir through the harissa, bulgur and apricots, pour over the stock and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for 7 mins.
• Add the spinach and stir through until just wilted. Arrange the fish fillets on top, pop a slice of lemon on each and season. Replace the lid and cook for 8 mins, keeping over a low-ish heat.
• Turn heat to low and cook for 7-8 mins more until the fish is cooked through and the bulgur is tender. Season with pepper and serve.

BULGUR PILAF WITH CHICKPEAS AND HERBS

Steps:

• Drain the soaked chickpeas, and place in a pot with 1 quart water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer one hour. Add salt to taste and continue to simmer for 30 minutes to an hour, until the chickpeas are tender.
• Place the bulgur in a 2-quart bowl. Place a strainer over the bowl, and drain the chickpeas so that the hot broth covers the bulgur. Set the chickpeas aside. Cover the bowl, and allow the bulgur to sit until fluffy, about 20 to 30 minutes. Strain and press out excess liquid.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet, and add the scallions. Cook, stirring, until tender, two or three minutes. Stir in the garlic, and continue to cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Stir in the bulgur and chickpeas. Add the herbs and the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and toss together. Remove from the heat, add lemon juice and pepper, taste and adjust salt. Add more lemon juice if desired. Serve hot or room temperature.

BULGUR PILAF WITH MEAT

Steps:

• Put 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) of the butter in a large skillet or flameproof casserole with a lid and turn the heat to medium. When the butter melts, add the onions, a large pinch of salt, and some pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are quite soft, about 10 minutes.
• Add the meat, bay leaves, and spices and cook, stirring, until everything is well combined. Add the tomatoes, stock, and (unless your stock is salty) some more salt and pepper. Cover, adjusting the heat so the mixture simmers. Cook for about 30 minutes, until the meat is nearly tender.
• Stir in the bulgur, cover again, and cook until the grain is nearly tender, about 15 minutes. At this point most of the liquid should be absorbed. If the mixture is dry and the grain not fully cooked, add some boiling water and cook for a few minutes more; if it is wet, uncover and raise the heat a bit to boil out the excess. Stir in the remaining butter. Turn off the heat and let sit for 15 minutes more. Taste and adjust the seasoning, garnish, and serve with the lemon if you like.
• Fast Pilaf with Meat
• In step 2, substitute ground lamb (or beef). Add the bulgur along with the tomatoes and stock and finish as in step 3. (You may skip the final resting period.)
• Bulgur Pilaf with Chickpeas
• In step 2, omit the meat and add 1 1/2 to 2 cups cooked chickpeas.

BULGUR PILAF

Steps:

• Cook onion in oil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Meanwhile, wrap coriander seeds in a clean kitchen towel and coarsely crush by pressing with flat side of a large heavy knife.
• Add coriander and bulgur to onion and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Stir in hot water, then remove from heat and let stand, covered, until bulgur is softened, about 25 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then stir in almonds, salt, and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature.

SIMPLE BULGUR PILAF

Steps:

• Heat olive oil and saute onions until soft.
• Turn heat up to high and add mushrooms, stirring frequently, until mushrooms are cooked and nicely browned.
• Add bulgur, stir and cook briefly, 1-2 minutes.
• Add water, mix once, then cover and cook over low heat until all water is absorbed, about 25 minutes.
• Fluff briefly before serving.