Bulgur With Roasted Peppers Chickpeas And Spinach Recipes

BULGUR WITH ROASTED RED PEPPERS, CHICKPEAS, AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups water to a boil and add bulgur. Remove from heat and soak until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain in a fine-mesh sieve, pressing to remove as much liquid as possible; transfer bulgur to a large bowl.
• While bulgur is soaking, roast peppers over a low gas flame or under the broiler, turning frequently with tongs, until blackened on all sides, 8 to 16 minutes. Place in a bowl; cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let cool. Peel off charred skins; discard seeds and stems. Chop peppers into 3/4-inch pieces. Strain any juices from cutting board and bowl through a fine-mesh sieve and reserve.
• In a small saucepan, heat 1/2 cup oil over medium-high. In batches, fry chickpeas until golden brown and lightly crisp, about 3 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels and season immediately with coarse salt.
• Add chickpeas, peppers and reserved juices, spinach, and 2 tablespoons oil to bowl with bulgur and toss. Season with salt and ground pepper.

ROASTED BELL PEPPER HALVES STUFFED WITH BULGUR AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut large red and yellow bell peppers in half through stem end. Remove seeds and cut out ribs, leaving stems intact. Finely chop small red bell pepper; set aside. Spread 1 tablespoon oil over rimmed baking sheet. Place pepper halves, cut side down, on prepared sheet. Roast 15 minutes. Turn over; roast until slightly softened, about 15 minutes longer. Remove from oven.
• Meanwhile, bring 2 cups water to boil in medium saucepan; add bulgur and 1 teaspoon salt. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand until bulgur is tender, about 30 minutes. Drain well.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped red pepper; sauté until tender, about 3 minutes. Add currants and pine nuts; sauté 2 minutes. Add cumin; stir 20 seconds. Mix in spinach; stir until beginning to wilt, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Mix in bulgur, mint, and dill. Stir in half of cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Divide bulgur mixture among pepper halves. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• Preheat oven to 425°F. Bake stuffed peppers until heated through, about 25 minutes (or 30 minutes if chilled); serve.
• *Also called cracked wheat; available at natural foods stores and supermarkets.

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.