Anatolian Bulgur Pilav Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in hot oil until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir tomatoes through the onion; continue cooking until tomatoes soften, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour beef broth over the onion and tomato mixture; bring to a boil.
• Stir bulgur into the boiling broth; season with salt and black pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook at a simmer until the bulgur begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Add lentils and chickpeas; continue cooking until the moisture evaporates and the bulgur is tender, 3 to 5 minutes more.
• Remove the skillet from heat. Set aside to cool about 30 minutes. Fold mint into the bulgur mixture to serve.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, fry the onions in 2-3 tablespoons of the butter or oil until golden. Add the meat and sauté over moderate heat for a few minutes, turning to brown the pieces all over. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the tomatoes and tomato paste. Cover with water and simmer gently, covered, for 1-1 1/2 hours, or until the meat is tender, adding water to keep the meat covered but letting it reduce towards the end.
• Add the bulgur and about 2 cups boiling water-assuming there are about 2 cups of liquid sauce already in the pan. Add more if there is not. Add salt, stir well, and cook, covered, over low heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed, adding a little water if it seems too dry. Let stand for a further 15 minutes, while the grain becomes swollen and tender. The bulgur should be plump and soft. Stir in the remaining butter or oil before serving.
• Variations
• Substitute 2 chicken joints (1 thigh and 1 breast half, for instance) for the meat. Cook for about 30 minutes, then remove skin and bones and cut up the chicken into small cubes.
• Add 1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley. Mix it in at the end.

Steps:

• Scrub potatoes; boil in the skins until tender, then drain, remove skins, and mash.
• Place bulgur in a small bowl and cover with cold water and set aside for 5 minutes; then drain in a sieve, pressing to get all the water out as possible.
• Mix together potato, bulgur, flour, salt and pepper, blending into a thick paste.
• Place onion and oil in a skillet and sauté until onion is tender, then place in a bowl with remaining filling ingredients; season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Shape bulgur/potato mixture into balls and flatten in your hands; place a teaspoon or so of filling in the center of the flattened potato mixture and close up the potato part around it, forming a smooth oval shaped ball.
• Repeat with remaining paste and filling.
• Heat oil and deep fry balls several at a time for about 6-8 minutes, turning to brown both sides; drain on paper toweling before serving.
• Serve hot or warm.