Tabouli Bulgur Wheat Salad

Tabouli Bulgur Wheat Salad

Prep time: 45 minutes
Makes: 4 cups
Serving Size 1/2 cup
Chill Time: 3 hours

Ingredients

1 cup dry bulgur wheat
1 cup hot water
1⁄2 cucumber, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
4 green onions, chopped
1⁄4 cup fresh chopped mint (or cilantro)
1 cup fresh chopped parsley
1 clove garlic, minced or 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

DRESSING
1⁄4 cup lemon juice (or vinegar or half of each)
2 Tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
1 teaspoon pepper
1⁄4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Place the bulgur in a large bowl and soak in the hot water until the water is absorbed, (about 30 minutes). When it's ready, drain any excess water.
2. Mix the dressing Ingredients together. Set aside.
3. Chop the vegetables and add to the prepared bulgur. 
4. Add dressing to salad and stir. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours and serve chilled.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Top with plain yogurt.
• Add other chopped veggies including red or green peppers, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), grated carrots, or summer squash.
• Freeze extra lemon juice to use later.
• Serve as a side dish or serve on lettuce leaves or make sandwiches with whole wheat or pocket (pita) bread.

Vegetarian Chili

Vegetarian Chili

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 8 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 cup corn, frozen or canned and drained
1 can (15.5 ounce) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (8 ounce) tomato sauce
1 can (14.5 ounce) stewed tomatoes
1⁄2 cup bulgur, uncooked
1⁄2 cup water
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated (low fat)

Directions

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet).
2. Add garlic, onion, pepper, and mushrooms and saute until tender, 6-8 minutes.
3. Add remaining Ingredients except cheese.
4. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook until bulgur is soft, 10-15 minutes.
5. Sprinkle with grated cheese and serve.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Use kidney or black beans instead of pinto beans.
• One large ear of corn makes about 1 cup of cut corn.
• Top with light sour cream.
• Cook your own dry beans. One can (15 ounces) is about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups drained beans.

Mushroom Bulgur Pilaf

Mushroom Bulgur Pilaf

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Makes: 4 cups
Serving Size 2/3 cup

Ingredients

1 cup onion, chopped (1 medium onion)
1 1⁄2 teaspoons vegetable oil
3 cups mushrooms, sliced or chopped (12 medium button mushrooms)
3⁄4 cup bulgur
1 1⁄2 cups water
2 teaspoons dry boullion (chicken or vegetable)
1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups packed fresh spinach, roughly chopped

Directions

1. Use a medium saucepan or skillet with a tightly fitting lid. Over medium heat, sauté onions in oil in the open pan until they are softened.
2. Add mushrooms and sauté until beginning to brown, stirring frequently.
3. Stir in bulgur and continue to stir until lightly browned.
4. Add water, bouillon, garlic powder, and pepper. Cover pan with lid.
5. Reduce heat to low. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until bulgur is tender and liquids are absorbed.
6. Remove from heat. Mix in the spinach and serve.
7. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Beef and Broccoli

Beef and Broccoli

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 7 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

3⁄4 pound lean ground beef
1⁄4 teaspoon ground ginger
3⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1⁄4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 Tablespoon sesame oil
1⁄4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1⁄2 cup water
4 cups broccoli, chopped (fresh or frozen)
3 cups cooked bulgur

Directions

1. Sauté beef, ginger, and garlic powder in a skillet over medium-high heat until meat is browned.
2. In a bowl, mix sugar, soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, pepper flakes and water.
3. Add sauce to beef and cook for 5 minutes. Add broccoli and cook until tender.
4. Serve over cooked bulgur.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours

Bulgur Pilaf

Bulgur Pilaf

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons oil
1⁄2 cup chopped celery
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup bulgur, uncooked
1⁄2 teaspoon Salt
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable) (see notes)

Directions

1. Add oil, celery, onion and bulgur to a medium skillet.
2. Stir constantly over medium heat (300 degrees in an electric skillet) until vegetables are tender and bulgur is golden brown.
3. Add seasonings and broth and bring to a boil.
4. Cover pan and reduce heat to low.
5. Simmer 15 minutes.  Liquid should be gone. Serve.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Broth can be canned or made using bouillon. For each cup of broth use 1 cup very hot water and 1 teaspoon or 1 cube bouillon.
• Add other vegetables such as peas, grated carrots, chopped bell peppers.
• Try additional flavors such as dill weed, oregano, sage, marjoram, or parsley.