Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Mediterranean cuisine with our tantalizing trio of bulgur-based dishes. From the vibrant streets of Istanbul to the sun-drenched fields of Greece, bulgur reigns supreme as a versatile grain, seamlessly blending flavors and textures.
In our first recipe, bulgur joins forces with leeks and Swiss chard, creating a symphony of earthy flavors and vibrant colors. Leeks, with their subtle sweetness and delicate crunch, provide a perfect balance to the hearty Swiss chard, while aromatic herbs like thyme and parsley add a touch of freshness.
Next, we present a delightful combination of bulgur, roasted vegetables, and tangy feta cheese. The sweetness of roasted red peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes pairs beautifully with the nutty flavor of bulgur, while crumbled feta cheese adds a salty, creamy dimension.
Last but not least, we've prepared a refreshing tabbouleh salad, where bulgur takes center stage alongside a medley of chopped parsley, tomatoes, cucumbers, and mint. Dressed with a zesty lemon-olive oil vinaigrette, this salad is a burst of flavors and a celebration of Mediterranean freshness.
These three bulgur-based recipes offer a diverse exploration of textures and flavors, showcasing the versatility and deliciousness of this ancient grain. Whether you're seeking a hearty main course or a light and refreshing salad, you'll find something to savor in this culinary trio.
BULGUR WITH SWISS CHARD, CHICKPEAS AND FETA
Bulgur comes in one of four grades: fine (bags are often labeled #1), medium (#2), coarse (#3) and very coarse (#4). The different grinds are used for specific types of dishes. Pilafs are made with medium, coarse or very coarse bulgur. Tabbouleh and kibbe are made with fine bulgur.This is a convenient grain to keep on hand in the pantry. It's easy to find in whole foods stores and in Middle Eastern markets. Don't confuse it with cracked wheat, which is another product made from raw wheat berries. Because bulgur is made from precooked wheat berries, it takes only about 20 minutes to reconstitute by soaking or by simmering. It has a wonderful nutty flavor and a light texture.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, main course
Time 1h20m
Yield Serves four to six
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- 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.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 2-quart baking dish. Toss the cooked bulgur with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and spread in the baking dish in an even layer.
- Add water to a steamer pot, and bring to a boil. Place the Swiss chard in the steamer (you can use a pasta pot with an insert for this), and steam until it wilts, about four to five minutes. Drain, rinse with cold water and squeeze out the excess water with your hands. Chop coarsely and transfer to a bowl.
- Heat another tablespoon of the olive oil in a small frying pan. Add the garlic. Cook, stirring, just until fragrant and translucent, 30 seconds to a minute, and scrape into the bowl with the chard. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the chickpeas and dill. Season with salt and pepper, and toss together.
- Lay the chard mixture over the bulgur. Top with the feta, and gently push the feta cheese down into this mixture. Bake 30 minutes or until sizzling. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 334, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 42 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 10 grams, Protein 13 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 468 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams
BULGUR WITH LEEKS AND SWISS CHARD
Make and share this Bulgur With Leeks and Swiss Chard recipe from Food.com.
Provided by dicentra
Categories Chard
Time 20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add leeks and chard stems, and cook 4 minutes, or until softened, stirring often.
- Add mushrooms, and cook 5 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and chard leaves.
- Cover, and cook 5 minutes, or until leaves are wilted, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stir in broth and bulgur. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low, cover, and simmer 10 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and bulgur is tender. Remove pan from heat, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 240.2, Fat 7.7, SaturatedFat 1.1, Sodium 259, Carbohydrate 39.2, Fiber 9.4, Sugar 3.7, Protein 8.3
SEARED RAINBOW CHARD WITH LEEKS
Make and share this Seared Rainbow Chard With Leeks recipe from Food.com.
Provided by dicentra
Categories Chard
Time 20m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Cut stems from chard (if leaves are large, cut out coarse portions of rib), then cut stems crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
- Stack chard leaves and roll into cylinders. Cut cylinders crosswise to make 1-inch-thick strips of leaves.
- Heat butter and oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté chard stems and leeks with sea salt and pepper to taste, stirring occasionally, until slightly soft, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add chard leaves and continue to sauté, stirring frequently, until wilted. (If greens begin to brown before they wilt, sprinkle with a few drops of water.).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 163.2, Fat 15.5, SaturatedFat 6.4, Cholesterol 22.9, Sodium 446.2, Carbohydrate 6.3, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 1.7, Protein 0.8
CREAMY SWISS CHARD PASTA WITH LEEKS, TARRAGON AND LEMON ZEST
This creamy vegetarian pasta is hearty enough for chilly temperatures while still nodding toward spring with the addition of bright-green chard, leeks and fresh herbs. For texture, it's topped with toasted panko, a garnish that can go many ways: Instead of using nutritional yeast, which adds tangy flavor here, you can melt a finely chopped anchovy with the butter and toss it with the panko. You could also add some ground coriander, Italian seasoning or herbes de Provence. Toasted panko, plain bread crumbs or even crushed croutons are a solid back-pocket trick to add crunch to any pasta, especially the creamiest kind. Don't skip the tarragon and lemon zest garnish, which add a fresh note to an otherwise-rich dish.
Provided by Alexa Weibel
Categories dinner, weekday, pastas, vegetables, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the chard: Tear the leaves off the stems, separating the leaves and stems. Thinly slice the stems, then coarsely tear the leaves into bite-size pieces. Set both aside in separate bowls.
- Prepare the leeks: Trim off the bottom and the dark green portion at the top, halve the remaining white and pale green portion lengthwise, then thinly slice them crosswise. Wash and drain the sliced leeks. Set aside.
- Prepare the bread crumbs: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium. Add the panko, season lightly with salt and generously with pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and toasted, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in nutritional yeast, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Wipe out the skillet. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons butter and melt over medium-high. Add the leeks, chard stems, garlic and thyme, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks start to wilt and soften, about 5 minutes. Add the torn chard, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until just wilted, 2 minutes.
- Add the stock and heavy cream, and boil over high until thickened, about 10 minutes.
- Once the mixture is simmering, add the pasta to the pot of boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain pasta.
- Transfer chard mixture to the empty pasta pot. Stir in the cooked pasta, then sprinkle with the Parmesan, stirring vigorously to melt it into the sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Divide among shallow bowls or plates. Sprinkle generously with the prepared bread crumbs, top with tarragon and grate fresh lemon zest on top. Serve immediately.
Tips:
- Prep your ingredients: Before you start cooking, wash and chop the leeks, Swiss chard, and parsley. Measuring and preparing the bulgur in advance will also help speed up the cooking process.
- Choosing the right bulgur: This recipe is best made with fine or medium-grain bulgur. Coarse bulgur will not cook evenly and may become mushy.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: When cooking the leeks and Swiss chard, it's important to not overcrowd the pan. If you do, the vegetables will steam instead of sautéing and will not develop the desired caramelized flavor.
- Use a flavorful broth: The broth you use to cook the bulgur will greatly impact the flavor of the final dish. Use a broth that you enjoy the taste of, such as vegetable broth, chicken broth, or beef broth.
- Add the bulgur at the right time: When adding the bulgur to the pot, make sure that the broth is boiling. This will help to prevent the bulgur from clumping together.
- Cook the bulgur until it is tender: The bulgur should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. This usually takes about 15 minutes.
- Fluff the bulgur: Once the bulgur is cooked, fluff it with a fork to separate the grains. This will help to make the bulgur light and fluffy.
- Season to taste: Before serving, taste the bulgur and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or herbs.
Conclusion:
This bulgur with leeks and Swiss chard is a delicious, nutritious, and versatile dish. It is perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. Serve it as a main course, a side dish, or a salad. Leftovers can be reheated and enjoyed the next day. With its combination of hearty bulgur, caramelized leeks, nutritious Swiss chard, and flavorful herbs, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.
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