Tomato Infused Bulgur Pilaf With Fresh Basil Food

TOMATO-INFUSED BULGUR PILAF WITH FRESH BASIL

Steps:

• 1 Heat the olive oil in a 3- or 4-quart saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion softens and starts to brown at the edges, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and Aleppo pepper and cook, stirring, until the mixture darkens, about 1 minute. Add the broth, the tomatoes with their juices, and the bulgur and bring to a boil, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan.
• 2 Decrease the heat to maintain a simmer, cover, and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the bulgur is tender but still slightly chewy, about 15 minutes. Add a tad more water if necessary. Remove the saucepan from the heat and season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Taste for salt and adjust, and then stir in 1/4 cup of the basil. Cover and set aside for 3 minutes. Garnish with the remaining 2 tablespoons basil and serve.

BULGUR PILAF WITH TOMATOES, SHALLOTS AND MINT.

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots, cover, and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the bulgur and stir to combine. Stir in the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cove and simmer until the bulgur is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the tomatoes. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the mint, cover and let stand for a further 5 minutes before serving.

BULGUR PILAF WITH ROASTED TOMATOES, ONIONS, AND GARBANZO BEANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread tomatoes and onion in large roasting pan. Drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in garbanzo beans and garlic. Roast until onion is golden, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes longer. Remove pan from oven. Add 2 1/2 cups water to pan and stir, scraping up browned bits.
• Transfer roasted vegetable mixture to large saucepan. Bring to boil. Stir in bulgur. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until bulgur is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes.
• Stir 3 tablespoons parsley, 1 1/2 tablespoons dill and lemon juice into pilaf. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl. Sprinkle pilaf with remaining 1 tablespoon parsley and 1/2 tablespoon dill.
• *Also called cracked wheat, bulgur is available at natural foods stores and many supermarkets nationwide.

SIMPLE BULGUR PILAF

Steps:

• Heat olive oil and saute onions until soft.
• Turn heat up to high and add mushrooms, stirring frequently, until mushrooms are cooked and nicely browned.
• Add bulgur, stir and cook briefly, 1-2 minutes.
• Add water, mix once, then cover and cook over low heat until all water is absorbed, about 25 minutes.
• Fluff briefly before serving.