Veronicas Mediterranean Bulgur And Lentil Stew Food

VERONICA'S MEDITERRANEAN BULGUR AND LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• Chop bell pepper, parsley and onion.
• In a medium saucepan, bring water and lentils to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to medium/medium-low and simmer for about 25 minutes- COVERED.
• Stir in bulgur wheat and black pepper.
• Continue to simmer- UNCOVERED- until lentils are tender and water is absorbed (should take about 10 to 15 minutes).
• In a skillet, heat oil on medium-high heat and sauté onion and bell pepper until tender (about 4 minutes).
• Stir onion and pepper into bulgur mixture, sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve.

LENTILS WITH BULGUR

Steps:

• If time allows, soak the lentils in cold water to cover for an hour or more (overnight is fine). Drain.
• Put 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large deep saucepan over medium heat. A minute later, add the garlic and cook until fragrant, another minute or so. Add the jalapeños, tomato, and cumin and cook until the tomato is soft, 2 or 3 minutes.
• Add the bulgur and cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes, then add the stock and lentils. Bring to a boil, then cover and adjust the heat so the mixture simmers steadily; cook for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the lentils and bulgur are tender and all the liquid is absorbed. If the mixture threatens to dry out, add another 1/2 cup liquid and continue cooking; if the mixture is too wet, raise the heat a bit and cook, uncovered and stirring, until it dries out.
• While the lentil mixture is cooking, add the remaining 3 tablespoons oil to a skillet and cook the onion over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until deep brown, caramelized, and on the verge of blackening, at least 20 minutes. Stir in most of the mint and remove from the heat.
• When the lentil-bulgur mixture is done, garnish it with the onion and remaining mint and serve.

FAVA BEAN STEW WITH BULGUR

Steps:

• In a large, lidded skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions. Cook, stirring, until tender, about five minutes. Add the garlic, half the parsley, half the cilantro and salt to taste. Continue to cook for another minute or two, stirring. Add the tomatoes, and cook, stirring often, for 10 to 15 minutes until the tomatoes have cooked down and smell fragrant.
• Add the fava beans, tomato paste, cinnamon, paprika, cayenne and 2 cups water, or enough to just cover the vegetables, and bring to a simmer. Simmer 30 minutes or until the favas are tender and the stew very fragrant. Stir in the remaining parsley and cilantro, grind in some pepper and taste and adjust salt.
• While the stew is simmering, reconstitute the bulgur. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the bulgur and salt to taste, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat and uncover. Place a clean dish towel over the pan, then replace the lid. Allow to sit undisturbed for 10 minutes. Alternatively, place the bulgur in a medium bowl with salt to taste, and cover with 2 cups hot or boiling water. Allow to sit for 20 to 25 minutes until most of the water is absorbed. Drain through a strainer, and squeeze out the water.
• Spoon bulgur into wide soup bowls, and top with the fava bean stew. Drizzle on some olive oil, and serve.