Bulgur Bowl With Spinach Mushrooms And Dukkah Food

BULGUR, SPINACH AND TOMATO CASSEROLE

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 15 to 20 minutes, until the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat, uncover and place a clean dish towel over the pan, then replace the lid. Allow to sit undisturbed for 10 minutes or longer. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Pulse the tomatoes with their juice in a food processor. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a large, wide skillet or a shallow 3-quart saucepan and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds, and add the tomatoes, sugar, salt to taste, and allspice or cinnamon. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the tomatoes have cooked down to a fragrant sauce, about 20 minutes. Taste, adjust salt and add freshly ground pepper.
• Steam the spinach until it wilts, 1 to 2 minutes, rinse briefly with cold water and squeeze out excess water. Do this by the handful to get out all the water. Chop coarsely. Add to the bulgur. Add the mint and the chickpeas if using, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce and toss together.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 2-quart gratin or baking dish. Spread the bulgur mixture in the dish in an even layer. Top with the remaining tomato sauce. Sprinkle on the cheese. Drizzle on the last tablespoon of olive oil. Bake 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned. Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.

MEDITERRANEAN BULGUR BOWL

Steps:

• In a 6-qt. stockpot, combine the first 4 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until tender, 10-12 minutes. Stir in garbanzo beans; heat through., Remove from heat; stir in spinach. Let stand, covered, until spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients. Serve warm, or refrigerate and serve cold.

SPINACH AND BULGAR SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine bulgur and 1 and a 1/2 cups boiling water. Let stand until bulgur is tender to bite, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stack spinach leaves and cut into 1/4-inch-wide strips.
• Place spinach, onions, dill, and cheese in a wide bowl. Pour bulgur into a fine strainer and press out the excess water. Add bulgur to bowl with spinach.
• Mix vinegar and oil. Add to salad and mix. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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 WITH WILD MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Soak dried mushrooms in hot water to cover.
• Heat butter in a skillet large enough to hold all ingredients. Saute onion and celery until soft.
• Meanwhile, clean and slice fresh mushrooms. When onion and celery are cooked, push them to side of pan and saute fresh mushrooms until they begin to color, 4 or 5 minutes.
• Squeeze liquid from dried mushrooms and stir them into the pan. Reserve mushroom-soaking liquid.
• Stir in bulgur and cook over medium heat until bulgur begins to color.
• Stir in beef stock and 1/4 cup of mushroom liquid. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low, cover and cook about 10 minutes, until bulgur grains soften. Season with salt and pepper. Add more mushroom liquid if needed. Freeze if desired.
• To serve, defrost and bring to room temperature. Reheat in 350-degree oven, covered, about 20 minutes, until steaming. Stir in toasted pecans and decorate with parsley.