Stuffed Peppers With Bulgur Walnut Pilaf Recipes

STUFFED PEPPERS WITH PILAF

Steps:

• Cut around the stems of the peppers (reserving the stem caps), remove the seeds, wash and drain the peppers. Set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large saute pan, add the onions and pine nuts and saute until onions are soft and golden, 10 to 15 minutes, seasoning with salt to taste. Add the rice, and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and cook a minute longer, then add the currants, mint, sugar and nutmeg. Add the hot water and lemon juice, adjust seasonings, and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat until all the liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let rice stand for 5 to 10 minutes to cool.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Stuff the peppers loosely with the rice mixture, and close them with the reserved caps. Place stuffed peppers side by side in a baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Add a little water to the baking dish, cover and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until peppers are tender and rice is fully cooked, adding more water to dish if needed. Squeeze lemon juice over the peppers and serve warm or room temperature with remaining lemon wedges.

BULGUR PILAF WITH RED PEPPERS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Place the bulgur in a fine sieve and shake to remove any dust. Place in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Let stand 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place the bell and chili peppers in a food processor with the water, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and the sugar. Process until pureed. Transfer to a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until reduced to a jam-like consistency, about 20 minutes. Set aside.
• Cut the tomatoes in half and squeeze gently to remove the seeds. Using the large holes of a hand grater, grate the tomato halves with the cut side facing the grater. (You should be left with just the tomato skin in your hand; discard.)
• Drain the bulgur and return it to the bowl. Add the red-pepper paste, the tomato pulp, the remaining teaspoon salt, the scallions, cucumber, parsley, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, olive oil and paprika. Stir to mix well.
• Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours. Taste and season with more salt if needed. Spoon onto a platter, surround with the lettuce or vine leaves and serve.

BULGUR-STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°. Cut each bell pepper lengthwise in half; remove seeds and membranes. Heat 2 inches water to boiling in 2-quart saucepan. Add pepper halves. Cook uncovered 1 minute; drain.
• Melt margarine in same saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook celery and 3 tablespoons of the onions in margarine about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender.
• Stir in bulgur, 1 1/2 cups of the broth and the seasoning salt. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 6 to 7 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Stir in 3/4 cup of the cheese.
• Fill bell pepper halves with bulgur mixture. Place peppers, filled sides up, in ungreased square pan, 8x8x2 inches. Pour remaining broth into pan. Cover and bake 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese and 1 tablespoon onion.