traditional Greek toasted bulgur pilaf

Bulgur has recently become the new ‘it’ whole grain here in the US and it’s about time too. In Greece, people have been enjoying it for eons – well, at least millennia!  A nutritional powerhouse, bulgur is very tasty and boils up quickly with a unique cracked wheat texture; perfect for a light pilaf. This recipe for bulgur pilaf includes the traditional (and delicious!) standard vegetable mix-ins but the possibilities are endless and you’ll find info below to help you create variations of your own too!

So simple to cook up with very easy prep; you can have this nutty, bright, one-pot-wonder on your table in a little over half an hour. Try the recipe exactly as it is here with carrots, green peas, coriander, fennel seeds, fresh thyme and a pinch of cloves or go ahead and let your tastebuds lead the way!

Carrots and peas (listed below) are probably the most often used bulgur pilaf mix-ins and, truth be told, these standards are positively wonderful. They both add a delicate sweetness to the nuttiness of the bulgur and balance the heartiness of this dish well.

A few swap-in ideas for you should you choose to mix up your pilaf mix-ins:

• zucchini squash and mushrooms with fresh chopped parsley
• especially in the summer, a picnic pilaf with dried apricots, pomegranate seeds and toasted pine nuts – just fantastic, I promise you!
• my dad happens to love his bulgur pilaf with celery and fresh chopped basil

As you can see, you can really make this dish your own which, for me, is a big part of what makes it so special!

carrots, peas, toasted bulgur and orzo, thyme

When substituting vegetables, the following is good ratio guide – for every cup of uncooked bulgur:

• 2 cups of veggies (not including aromatics – onions/garlic)
• 1/2 cup fresh chopped herbs

This recipe yields approx 4 cups of pilaf and for scaling the recipe:

• use 1 cup uncooked bulgur to 1 1/2 cups water and equal parts uncooked orzo to water.

Bulgur Pilaf Ingredients

• 1 cup toasted uncooked bulgur wheat
• 1/2 cup toasted uncooked orzo
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup green peas (if using frozen, thaw first)
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped onion (green onions or scallions also work well)
• 2 tbsp chopped garlic
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp fennel seed
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 6-8 sprigs fresh thyme

Optional

• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Toast orzo and bulgar (separately) over VERY low heat until they begin to just slightly brown. Set aside.

Grind coriander and fennel seeds together in spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Set aside.

Add olive oil to 3 quart saucepan (one with a tight fitting lid) and sauté onions until almost translucent. Add garlic and sauté until tender, careful not to burn!

Add toasted orzo and bulgur and mix well to coat with olive oil. Add carrots, peas and spices. Mix well to combine completely. Add water and sprigs of thyme. Stir gently to combine all ingredients and bring up to a boil. Lower heat to low simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes.

Without removing lid, take pilaf off of the heat and let sit, covered, for an additional 10 minutes. Then  fluff the pilaf with a fork, being sure to remove all thyme stems, and gently stir in lemon zest and fresh mint. Garnish with chopped walnuts.

Enjoy right from the stove or at room temperature. Bulgur pilaf keeps, covered in the fridge, for up to a week.