Bulgur With Roasted Peppers Chickpeas And Spinach Food

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.

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.

BULGUR PILAF WITH CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine bulgur and boiling water. Let stand 10 minutes to soften.
• In a deep-sided skillet with a lid heat olive oil and sesame oil over medium heat.
• Add the onion and cook, stirring until softened, about 3 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, about 1 minute.
• Add the chickpeas, broth, reserved bulgur (and any accumulated water at bottom of bowl), pimiento (if using), cumin, salt and pepper. Stir well to combine; bring mixture to boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until the bulgur has absorbed all the liquid, about 15 minutes.
• If the bulgur seems to wet (it should be moist but not soggy), increase heat to medium and cook, uncovered, stirring often, until fairly dry.
• Fluff with a fork and serve warm.

SPICED BULGUR WHEAT WITH ROASTED PEPPERS

Steps:

• In a large microwave proof bowl, cover the bulgur wheat with stock. Cover with cling film and microwave on High for 4 mins. Set aside, covered; it will absorb the stock within another 5 mins. Make a dressing with spice mix, lemon zest and juice and olive oil, then season to taste. Add the onion, chickpeas, peppers and coriander, toss through the cooked bulgur wheat and serve warm or cold.