If you are new to my blog, please read my Welcome Note first.
I have decided to resume my cooking activities, hence this blog is open again. Now ain't I nice ?!
Bulgur or Borghol in Arabic, or Cracked Weat in English or Coarse Wheat Semolina, usually found in most Arabic and Turkish shops.
This is a very easy recipe to prepare, it's healthy and filling and not expensive.
For 2 persons you will need :
1 cup of Bulgur
1/2 to 2 cups of hot water
1/4 cup of frozen peas or half an eggplant
1/2 red pepper bell
1 onion
1/2 medium size tomato
1 clove of garlic
2 branches of parsley
2 branches of fresh coriander/cilantro
1 cube of beef stock
1/4 small tsp of paprika
1/4 small tsp of curcuma (optional - don't fret if you don't have it)
1/4 small tsp of ground cumin
1/4 small tsp of cinnamon (optional)
1/2 tsp of tomato paste
2 to 2 1/2 tbs of olive oil
a saucepan or a fairly deep frying pan
bear in mind the above spices are to enhance the flavor not kill it -- so easy does it.
First things first
1) rinse the bulgur and let it soak in cold water...that will make it fluffy when cooked
2) rinse frozen peas and soak them in cold salted water
3) if you're using aubergine/eggplant, chop into small dices
4) chop tomato into dices
5) chop coriander leaves
6) finely chop the onion
7) chop red pepper into small dices
mix onions and olive oil on medium fire, grate your glove of garlic and stir fry for a couple of minutes, then add your chopped pepper and again stir fry for a couple of minutes, then add your peas /or your aubergines and chopped coriander and tomato
let it all simmer on a medium fire for about 10 mn until half tender, if it dries out, just sprinkle a LIITLE water
add tomato paste, add spices and the beef stock... (I don't use salt as the beef stock cube is already salty) stir gently for a couple of minutes then add your Bulgur and the hot water..let it boil once then lower temperature and let it cook gently..if the water dries up and you feel the Bulgur is not well cooked yet (it should NOT be al dente) then just add a little more water...
Avoid stirring too much so as not to turn into a mash.
Use chopped parsley to decorate
Best served with grilled lamb chops or grilled spicy sausages. Yum!
