Middle Eastern Chicken And Bulgur Recipes

TURKISH BULGUR PILAF RECIPE

Steps:

• Place the bulgur in a bowl and rinse a few times. Set it aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion until translucent and then add the minced garlic. Cook for a minute.
• Add in the diced green pepper and cook for a few minutes until it softens.
• Add in the chopped tomatoes and stir well. Cook until they start releasing their juice.
• Add the tomato paste and stir well so it combines with the other ingredients.
• Add the salt and pepper and add in the rinsed bulgur. Stir well.
• Turn the heat to medium high and add in the water. Once it comes to a simmer, lower the heat to medium, cover with a lid and cook for about 20-25 minutes until the water is almost completely evaporated.
• Wrap the lid in a clean kitchen towel and place it on the pot. Turn the heat to medium low and cook for another 10 minutes.
• Turn the heat off the let the bulgur sit for 5 minutes untouched, then fluff it with a fork and serve.

BULGUR PILAF

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
• Stir in the tomato paste, chopped tomatoes and green peppers, and continue to cook with the onions until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
• Add the bulgur, cumin, salt and pepper, and stir to combine until the bulgur is completely coated in the tomato paste, about 2-3 minutes.
• Add the chickpeas on top along with 3 cups of chicken broth or water and stir to combine. Remove from heat, close the lid and allow the bulgur to absorb the liquid for 10 minutes. Open the lid and fluff with a fork.
• Serve with chopped parsley and fresh vegetables, if desired.

CLAY POT CHICKEN WITH DATES, SUCUK AND BULGUR

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Heat the butter and extra-virgin olive oil in a heavy-based casserole dish. Gently sweat the onions, garlic, peppers and chiles with the cumin and cinnamon for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables soften. Add the sherry, tomatoes, bulgur, chicken stock, cinnamon, star anise and thyme and bring to the boil. Lower the heat, then cover and simmer gently for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut the chickens into quarters and season lightly with salt and pepper.
• In another heavy-based frying pan, heat the olive oil over a medium heat and brown the meat lightly all over. Add the sucuk and fry until golden brown on both sides. Transfer the poussins and sucuk to the casserole dish and tuck in the dates. Cover the pan and cook in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning and serve immediately.

CHICKEN WITH BULGUR

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Mix together the salt, cinnamon, allspice, and pepper; rub mixture into chicken (you can remove the skin from the chicken, if you like).
• In a heavy, wide frying pan over medium-high heat, heat the oil.
• Add the chicken pieces and cook, turning, until all sides are browned.
• Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside; discard the pan drippings but do not wipe out the pan.
• Melt the butter in the pan you cooked the chicken in; add the onion and cook, stirring, until soft.
• Add the uncooked bulgur and currants and stir to coat well with butter.
• Spread the bulgur mixture in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan; place the chicken pieces on top.
• Pour the water, then the broth, over the chicken.
• Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake in a 375 degree oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until juices run clear and bulgur has absorbed all liquid.
• Garnish with sprinkled parsley and mint and serve.

MIDDLE EASTERN CHICKEN AND BULGUR

Steps:

• Heat on high a nonstick skillet that is large enough to hold all the ingredients. Reduce heat to medium-high, and add 1 teaspoon of the olive oil. Saute the chicken breasts until golden on both sides. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, chop whole onion. Add the remaining oil to the pan, and saute the onion until it softens and begins to turn golden. Meanwhile, mince garlic and add.
• Stir in the bulgur, cardamon, coriander and cumin and mix well. Add the stock, and reduce heat to medium-low. Return the chicken to the pan, cover and continue cooking until liquid has been absorbed.
• Meanwhile, grate lemon rind, squeeze juice and add both to pan as chicken and bulgur cook. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.

CHICKEN WITH TABBOULEH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a heat-proof bowl, pour the boiling water over the bulgur wheat. Add the lemon juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt. Stir. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the bulgur to stand at room temperature for about 1 hour.
• Place the chicken breast on a baking sheet and rub it with olive oil. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until just cooked. Set aside until cool enough to handle.
• Remove the chicken meat from the bones and discard the skin. Cut the chicken into medium dice and add to the tabbouleh. Add the scallions, mint, parsley, cucumber, tomatoes, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Season, to taste, and serve immediately or cover and refrigerate. The flavors will improve as it sits.