Best Bulgur Pilaf Recipes

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.

HERBED BULGUR-LENTIL PILAF

Steps:

• Place lentils and 2 cups broth in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil 5 minutes, then reduce to a simmer and cook until lentils are tender and most liquid is dissolved, about 30 minutes. Drain any remaining liquid. While lentils are cooking, place bulgur and remaining 2 cups chicken broth in another small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until most liquid is dissolved and bulgur is tender, about 13 to15 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Add the bulgur to the lentils.
• Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add peppers and cook until peppers are tender, another 5 minutes. Add the onion mixture to bulgur-lentil mixture. Stir in parsley, basil, chives, lemon zest, lemon juice remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper and toss to incorporate.

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.

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.

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.

TOASTED-BULGUR PILAF

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.

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.

BULGUR WHEAT AND LENTIL PILAF

Steps:

• Wash and pick over the lentils. Place them in a saucepan with the water, bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain the lentils immediately and set them aside.
• Put the chicken stock in the saucepan, bring to a boil, add the bulgur wheat, salt and drained lentils and bring to a boil again. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil over low heat in a large, preheated skillet. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring often, for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Add the bulgur-lentil mixture to the skillet and toss gently to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with a green salad.

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 WHEAT PILAF

Steps:

• Place bulgur in a heat-proof bowl and pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water over it. Let stand for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until most of the water is absorbed by the wheat. Drain.
• Heat oil in saucepan. Saute onion for about 3 minutes. Add garlic, salt, pepper. Saute for 10 seconds.
• Stir the drained bulgur wheat into the onion mixture. Cook for 4-5 minutes. The excess moisture will cook away and then the wheat will begin to brown and become fluffy.
• Add in the frozen peas. Mix well and cook for about 1 minute longer. Stir in the butter.
• Serve immediately.

GREEK BULGUR PILAF

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium size skillet over medium high heat. Add the bulgur and onion and sauté until both are translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the stock, (or vegetable stock, or a mixture of 1 1/2 cups water and 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste) bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and cover the pan. Simmer until the bulgur is just tender and all the liquid is absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste, then cover and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve. Serves 4.
• NOTE: If you wish to increase the quantity, just remember that you need 1 1/2 times as much liquid as bulgur. Be sure also to increase the amount of olive oil and onion as you increase the bulgur and stock.
• The Olive and The Caper.

BULGUR AND GREEN LENTIL PILAF

Steps:

• Bring first 3 ingredients to boil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Partially cover pan, reduce heat to low, and simmer until lentils are almost tender, about 15 minutes. Mix in bulgur, salt, and spices. Cover; simmer until water is absorbed, about 10 minutes longer. Season with pepper. Discard bay leaves. Serve topped with almonds and reserved onions.

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.

CHEF FLOWER'S CRACKED WHEAT PILAF - KIBRISLI BULGUR PILAVI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a small saucepan with lid. Add onion, mix until the onions are transparent. Reduce heat to low and add vermicelli, mix, simmer for two minutes or until the vermicelli looks golden (but not burnt).
• Add bulgur into the saucepan, mix then add the chicken/vegetable stock, tomatoes and season. (Do not add salt if your stock is high in salt), Mix well.
• Cover the pan and simmer very gently heat for four minutes, until the mixture is moist but not watery. If is too dry add more chicken/vegetable stock. Turn off heat.
• Cover with tea towel, place the lid tightly on top and let it stand for 10 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.

BULGUR PILAF WITH BROCCOLI AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• Bring a large pan of salted water to boil over high heat.
• Add the broccoli and cook until it is crip tender but still green, about 1 to 2 minutes.
• Drain the broccoli and rinse it briefly under cold water.
• Using the same pan, add the oil.
• Then add the onion, garlic, pepper, and oregano if using.
• (Just use about 1/4 tsp.) Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the onion is translucent which is about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, bulgur, water, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low.
• Cover it and cook until all the liquid is absorbed.
• Start checking at 10 minutes but it may take up to 15.
• Turn off the heat and add the broccoli and the black beans.
• Cover the pan and let it sit until the bulgur is tender but still slightly firm.
• This will take about 10 to 15 minutes.

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 LAMB

Steps:

• Heat butter in a large, deep skillet over medium high heat . Cook lamb and onions until onions are very light brown. Stir in bulgur, and cook about 3 minutes. Stir in chicken broth and tomatoes. Season with salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until all moisture is absorbed, about 30 minutes.

BULGUR, PINE NUT, AND RED PEPPER PILAF

Steps:

• In a small heavy saucepan cook onion in oil over moderate heat, stirring, until softened.
• Stir in broth, bell pepper, and bulgur and bring liquid to a boil. Cook mixture, covered, over low heat 12 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.
• Remove pan from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Stir in pine nuts, chives, and salt and pepper to taste.

COUSCOUS AND BULGUR PILAF

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until tender and pale golden, about 10 minutes. Add bulgur and stir to coat. Stir in 1 1/2 cups Vegetable-Herb Broth. Bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer gently until liquid is absorbed and bulgur is tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Using fork, fluff bulgur. Cover and let stand 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring remaining 1/2 cup Vegetable-Herb Broth to simmer in small saucepan. Combine broth, couscous and remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil in large bowl. Stir to blend. Cover tightly and let stand until liquid is absorbed and couscous is tender, about 15 minutes. Fluff with fork.
• Mix bulgur into couscous in large bowl. Add parsley, chives and rosemary; toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.