Find out how to cook dinner bulgur wheat with this simple recipe! Plus, discover suggestions for storing and serving this nutty, chewy, and nutritious complete grain.
Chewy, nutty, and extremely simple to cook dinner, bulgur wheat is nice for a lot greater than tabbouleh!
This complete grain will all the time have a spot in my pantry. In case you’re inquisitive about including it to yours, I’m sharing a full information to bulgur beneath. Study what it’s, how to cook dinner it, how to retailer it, and extra!
What Is Bulgur Wheat?
Bulgur is par-boiled, dried, and cracked wheat that could be a staple of Center Japanese delicacies. It’s one of many key elements in tabbouleh salad, however you’ll additionally discover it in Center Japanese dishes reminiscent of kubbeh or kibbeh, kofta, and stuffed greens.
Wealthy in protein and fiber, bulgur has a light, nutty taste and chewy texture. At Center Japanese markets or on-line, you will discover it in a wide range of ranges of coarseness, starting from high-quality to extra-coarse. Many American grocery shops carry solely the coarse wheat.
Bulgur vs. Cracked Wheat
Bulgur is a sort of cracked wheat…however not all cracked wheat is bulgur. The distinction is that bulgur is par-boiled, or partially cooked, within the manufacturing course of. In consequence, it has a a lot shorter cooking time than different cracked wheat. In truth, you don’t have to “cook dinner” it in any respect—merely soaking it’s sufficient to soften it. Discover directions for making ready it within the bulgur recipe beneath!
How to Cook Bulgur Wheat
The strategy you employ to cook dinner this grain will depend upon what sort of bulgur you might have.
- To arrange 1 cup of high-quality bulgur, place it in a medium bowl and add chilly water to cowl it by 1/2-inch. Set it apart to soak for 20 minutes, or till tender. Drain the surplus liquid and fluff with a fork earlier than utilizing.
- To arrange 1 cup of coarse bulgur wheat, convey 2 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Stir the grains into the new water, cowl, and take away from the warmth. Let sit for 20 to 30 minutes, or till tender. Drain any extra liquid and fluff with a fork earlier than utilizing.
As you may see, making ready each of a majority of these bulgur wheat is straightforward. The coarse wheat simply requires extra time and warmer water to change into totally tender.
Methods to Use Bulgur Wheat
After getting this cooked grain available, you’ll haven’t any bother discovering methods to use it up. Listed here are just a few concepts to get you began:
- As a easy aspect dish. Make a fast pilaf by tossing the wheat with olive oil, recent lemon juice, sea salt, pine nuts, and chopped recent parsley. Serve alongside your favourite protein!
- In a grain bowl. Swap it in for the quinoa on this Mediterranean quinoa bowl.
- In salads. Attempt it in tabbouleh and extra!
- In stuffed greens. See the Mediterranean Stuffed Eggplant recipe on web page 179 of Love & Lemons Each Day!
- In soups and stews. It makes them thick and hearty.
How do you want to use this wholesome grain? Let me know within the feedback!
Notice that bulgur isn’t gluten-free, so for those who’re avoiding gluten, you must go for one other grain. Quinoa and brown rice are glorious substitutes.
Storage
Retailer dry bulgur in a cool, dry place, reminiscent of a cabinet or pantry, for a yr or extra. Hold it within the fridge or freezer to prolong its shelf life even longer.
When you cook dinner it, it is going to maintain in an hermetic container within the fridge for up to 5 days. You can too freeze the cooked grains. Unfold them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for two hours. Then, switch to an hermetic container and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge or within the microwave.
Extra Entire Grains to Attempt
When you liked studying how to cook dinner this complete grain, strive wheat berries, farro, or quinoa subsequent!
How to Cook Bulgur Wheat
Serves 4
This straightforward recipe is my favourite methodology for cooking coarse bulgur wheat. Chewy and nutty, the cooked bulgur is scrumptious in salads, grain bowls, and extra!
Stop your display from going darkish
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Convey the water to a boil in a small or medium pot over excessive warmth.
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Stir within the bulgur, cowl, flip off the warmth, and put aside for 20 to 30 minutes, or till tender. Drain extra water. Fluff with a fork.