Turkish Bulgur Pilaf
Enjoy the true essence of Turkish cuisine by making this timeless recipe of authentic Turkish bulgur pilaf that showcases the perfect harmony of ingredients.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 cups coarse bulgur
- 1 Roma tomato finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons red pepper paste
- 1 teaspoon dried mint
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Turkish pepper (pul biber or Aleppo pepper) optional
- 3½ cups hot water
Instructions
- Wash your bulgur a few times and drain it.
- Add the olive oil to a pot and let it heat on medium-high heat before adding onions, garlic, and bell peppers.
- Sauté until fragrant, and until the onions and peppers are softened, about 5-8 minutes.
- Add the finely chopped tomatoes and the washed bulgur.
- Add the red pepper paste, seasonings, and hot water. Mix well until everything is well combined.
- Let it come to a boil for 5 minutes before covering and letting this Turkish pilaf recipe simmer on low for 15-20 minutes, or until the bulgur is soft.
Notes
- Add more vegetables to bulgur such as chickpeas/garbanzo beans, pinto beans, green peas, zucchini, or corn.
- Don’t uncover or stir the bulgur during cooking, especially after the bulgur starts simmering. Otherwise, the steam will escape and your tomato bulgur pilaf won’t cook properly.
- Once the bulgur has finished, let it rest covered in the pot for 5-10 minutes allowing it to absorb further juices.
- When you are ready to serve, fluff up the bulgur and tomato pilaf gently with a wooden spoon without squishing the bulgur.
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