Bulgur With Pasta Recipes

TURKISH BULGUR PILAF RECIPE

Steps:

• Saute onion and tomato paste: Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add in onion and green pepper and saute until translucent, 3-4 minutes. Add in tomato paste and stir constantly for a minute or so.
• Add in the rest of the ingredients: Add in ground cumin, bulgur, tomatoes, chickpeas, and water (or stock). Season with salt and pepper.
• Stir & Bring it to a boil: Give it a stir, bring it to a boil, put the lid on, turn down the heat to low. Let it simmer for 10-12 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed.
• Let it rest & serve: Off the heat, allow it to rest for 10 minutes (with the lid on), fluff it with a fork, garnish with parsley, and serve.

HOW TO COOK BULGUR WHEAT

Steps:

• Rinse 1 cup of bulgur and drain well.
• In a medium saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups of low-sodium broth (or water) to a boil. Stir in the drained bulgur and olive oil (if using). Season with a big dash of kosher salt.
• Allow the liquid to bubble again, then turn the heat down. Cover and let simmer for about 12 minutes or until the bulgur is tender and has fully absorbed the liquid.
• Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for another 10 minutes (leave it alone).
• Fluff with a fork and garnish with parsley before serving.
• Place 1 cup of dry fine bulgur grains in a large bowl. Pour 2 cups of hot water on top.
• Set it aside for 10 to 12 minutes to soak. Once the bulgur has soaked all the water, you can fluff it and serve it or use it in tabouli or otherwise.

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.

BULGUR WITH PASTA

Steps:

• Boil 2 cups water. Pour the water over the bulgur in a heatproof container. Cover and let stand until the water is absorbed, about 30 minutes. Or combine the water and bulgur in a small saucepan and simmer until the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions and drain.
• Combine the cooked bulgur and pasta in a serving container. Stir in the margarine to melt. Then stir in the Parmesan cheese and scallions. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.
• Bulgur is made from steamed and cracked whole wheat berries. When cooked, it has a chewy texture and a flavor that is reminiscent of brown rice, though somewhat nuttier. A staple in Near and Middle Eastern cuisine, bulgur is perhaps best known as the main ingredient in tabbouleh salad. This easy-to-prepare whole grain is a great addition to a healthy, varied diet. Basic cooking directions are above (Step 1).
• Use bulgur as a bed of grain for hearty bean dishes. It's especially good with chickpeas and black-eyed peas.
• Bulgur pilafs can be made by adding cooked beans or toasted nuts to the cooked grain; dried fruits, chopped scallion, and fresh herbs are good embellishments.
• Like other grains, bulgur makes a tasty base for hearty cold salads such as Fruited Bulgur Salad (page 48).
• Calories: 227
• Total Fat: 5g
• Protein: 8g
• Carbohydrate: 36g
• Cholesterol: 3mg
• Sodium: 125mg

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.

BOW TIES WITH ARUGULA, OLIVES, BULGUR AND TOMATO WEDGES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Put oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. When hot, add onion and garlic and cook, stirring until softens, about 5 minutes. Stir in olives, then add lemon juice and tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook until tomatoes are just heated through. Turn off heat.
• When water comes to a boil, add bulgur. Let water return to a boil, then add pasta. Cook bow ties until tender but not mushy (start tasting after 5 minutes). Reserve some cooking water, then drain in a strainer to trap grains with pasta.
• Toss pasta and bulgur with tomato mixture, adding some cooking water if needed. Stir in arugula and almonds, taste and adjust seasoning. Let rest for up to 15 minutes. Stir again and serve.