Fragrant Bulgur Pilaf Moosewood Recipes

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bulgur, and toast, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Stir together toasted bulgur, stock, 3/4 cup water, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer until all liquid is absorbed and bulgur is tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Discard bay leaf and cinnamon stick (or, if desired, leave in as a garnish). Stir in almonds and oil; season with salt and pepper.

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.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• In an ovenproof skillet large enough to contain all the ingredients, saute the onion, carrot, and pepper in the oil.
• When the onion and carrot have just softened, add the bulgur and saute for a minute or two, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.
• Add all of the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil.
• Cover and bake for 20 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed.
• Served topped with crumbled feta cheese, if desired.

Steps:

• Heat oil in large saucepan. Add rice and stir to coat.
• Add spices and stock and half the water and bring to the boil.
• Cover and simmer until rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Add more water if it seems too dry. I seem to need different amounts of water each time!
• Serve with Lebanese Chicken Stew as the liquid from the stew is great poured over the pilaf.

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.