Bulgur Pilaf With Dried Apricots Food

BULGUR PILAF WITH DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS

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.

BULGUR PILAF WITH DRIED APRICOTS

Steps:

• Cook onion in oil in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes.
• Add spices and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in remaining ingredients with 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes.
• Fluff with a fork before serving.

BULGUR PILAF WITH ALMONDS AND DRIED CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• In a small skillet over medium heat, cook almonds, tossing occasionally, until golden, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from skillet, and let cool. (Or use oven method; see note, below.) Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add bulgur; stir to coat.
• Add broth; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low. Cover saucepan, and simmer until liquid has evaporated and bulgur is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat; sprinkle bulgur with cranberries. Cover, and set aside to steam, about 5 minutes.
• Add toasted almonds to bulgur; fluff with a fork. Serve.

BULGUR PILAF WITH DATES, DRIED APRICOTS, AND TOASTED WALNUTS

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until golden, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; stir 1 minute. Add bulgur and sauté 5 minutes. Stir in dates, apricots, cinnamon stick, and curry powder. Add broth; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until bulgur is tender and broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Stir in green onions. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer pilaf to bowl. Sprinkle with walnuts and serve.
• Bulgur, or cracked wheat, is available at natural foods stores and supermarkets.

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.

FRUIT AND NUT BULGUR PILAF

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat; cook and stir bulgur until toasted. Stir in salt, pepper and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until tender and liquid is almost absorbed, 10-12 minutes., Stir in 1/3 cup each of the almonds, raisins, cranberries and apricots. Serve with the remaining almonds and fruit.

APRICOT ALMOND PILAF

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir onion and carrot until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in basmati rice and salt; cook and stir until rice is slightly opaque, about 3 minutes.
• Pour in water; stir to combine. Mix in saffron threads, rose water, apricots, and almonds; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until rice has absorbed the liquid, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow pilaf to stand covered for 10 more minutes. Stir before serving.