Herbed Bulgur Recipes

HERBED BULGUR-LENTIL PILAF

Steps:

• Place lentils and 2 cups broth in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil 5 minutes, then reduce to a simmer and cook until lentils are tender and most liquid is dissolved, about 30 minutes. Drain any remaining liquid. While lentils are cooking, place bulgur and remaining 2 cups chicken broth in another small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until most liquid is dissolved and bulgur is tender, about 13 to15 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Add the bulgur to the lentils.
• Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add peppers and cook until peppers are tender, another 5 minutes. Add the onion mixture to bulgur-lentil mixture. Stir in parsley, basil, chives, lemon zest, lemon juice remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper and toss to incorporate.

HERBED BULGUR

Steps:

• Combine bulgur and boiling-hot water in a large bowl and let stand 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir in herbs, oil, and salt and pepper to taste.

BULGUR WITH HERBS

Steps:

• Put bulgur in a bowl, then pour hot water (2 cups) over it and cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let stand until tender, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a small heavy skillet over medium heat until hot, then cook almonds, stirring, until golden, about 1 minute.
• Drain bulgur in a medium-mesh sieve, then return to bowl and stir in scallions, herbs, store-bought roasted-almond oil (or additional olive oil), 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and almonds (with oil). Season with salt and more lemon juice if desired. Serve at room temperature.

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.

HERBED BULGUR WITH SAUSAGE

Steps:

• In a three-quart casserole, heat the oil. Add garlic and cook for a minute or so, until the garlic is soft but not brown. Add bulgur and cook over medium heat, stirring, until the bulgur is lightly toasted and coated with oil, about five minutes.
• Drain the tomatoes, crushing them lightly and reserving the liquid. Set the tomatoes aside and add enough chicken stock or water to the liquid to make three cups. Add this liquid to the bulgur along with the oregano, basil, marjoram and fennel seeds. Season to taste with salt. Mix well.
• Cover tightly and place over low heat for about 40 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and bulgur is tender.
• While the bulgur is cooking, slice the sausages. If some of it crumbles, that is all right. Place the sausage in a heavy skillet and cook over medium heat until lightly brown. Remove sausage from pan.
• Add onions and peppers to the pan and saute over medium heat until lightly browned. Return the sausage to the pan along with the tomatoes and cook just long enough to heat through.
• When the bulgur is tender, lightly mix it to fluff it. Spread the sausage, onions and tomato mixture over the bulgur in the casserole, sprinkle with parsley, cover and place over medium heat for five to 10 minutes until heated through.
• Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.