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Fast & Easy Dinner: Bulgur With Leeks and Swiss Chard

partysugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:15:31 -0800

Bulgur, the grain common to tabouleh, makes a scrumptious staple in this quick vegan recipe. Leafy green Swiss chard provides nutrients, while mushrooms add an earthy heartiness to the one-pot dish. Although the recipe is simple, the flavors are rich and filling. Pair with a glass of red wine and some cheese for a luxurious weeknight meal. To look at the recipe, read more.

Bulgur With Leeks and Swiss Chard
From Vegetarian Times

Ingredients

2 Tbs. olive oil
2 medium-size leeks, white and tender green parts chopped
1 lb. Swiss chard, stems cut into 1-inch pieces, leaves torn into large pieces
2 cups sliced mushrooms
4 cloves garlic, minced (about 4 tsp.)
2 3/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 cup bulgur

Directions

Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add leeks and chard stems, and cook 4 minutes, or until softened, stirring often.
Add mushrooms, and cook 5 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally.
Add garlic and chard leaves. Cover, and cook 5 minutes, or until leaves are wilted, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.
Stir in broth and bulgur. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low, cover, and simmer 10 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and bulgur is tender. Remove pan from heat, and serve.

Serves 4.

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Hippie Side: Tabouleh

partysugar — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 03:19:19 -0700

In honor of tomorrow being Earth Day, I thought I would give you a healthy yet super tasty 100% vegan side dish. Tabouleh is a type of salad similar to couscous with a bulgar wheat grain that is typical of Middle Eastern cooking. It is usually served cold, and makes an excellent picnic-style side. The first time I ever tried it I was in France and was amazed by how delicious and fresh it tasted. I haven't had tabouleh as much as I would like, and will make it tomorrow to celebrate Earth Day. Pair with a spicy Moroccan style chicken, braised beef, lamb, or meaty mushrooms. For the recipe, read more

Tabouleh
Modified from The Savvy Vegetarian and Epicurious

1 cup bulgar wheat
1 cup boiling water
½ tsp salt
1/3 cup toasted pine nuts (toast in a dry frying pan or in the oven, med. low temperature and keep your eye on them)
1/4 cup currants, soaked ten minutes, and drained (Use raisins, if you can't find currants, but they're not as good)
¼ cup olive oil
1 clove garlic
2 large tomato, quartered, seeded and chopped, approx. 2 cup
1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions
2 cups finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons slivered fresh mint leaves
1 to 1 1/2 cups canned garbanzo beans, rinse well
14. ¼ c. lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Tender romaine leaves

Boil water. Add salt & bulgar. Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for thirty minutes.
Soak the currants, and toast the pine nuts.
Heat the olive oil on low, peel and mince the garlic, and heat in the oil for 5 - 10 minutes.
Whisk lemon juice into olive oil, and combine all ingredients.
Let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
Line a beautiful bowl with lettuce leaves, place the tabouleh in the middle.

Serves 6.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Skirt Steak With Pita and Yogurt Sauce

partysugar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 06:50:48 -0700

To be more savvy, professional chefs like Traci Des Jardins are encouraging home cooks to use lesser cuts of meat. While some are ideal for slow-cooking techniques like braising, others are great for quick-searing. Skirt steak, a cheaper cut from the cow's diaphragm muscle, is ideal for grilling.

In this recipe, spice-rubbed meat is served with charred pita bread, a tangy yogurt sauce, and crisp lettuce leaves. Throw in some store-bought hummus and a tabouleh salad and you've got a weeknight meal that's perfect for entertaining. Check out the straightforward recipe when you read more.

Skirt Steak With Pita and Yogurt Sauce
From Food and Wine

Ingredients

1 1/4 pounds skirt steak, cut into 6-inch lengths
3 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons your favorite spice rub
3/4 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, smashed
1 tablespoon chopped pickled jalapeños
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
Salt and freshly ground pepper
4 large pita breads, for serving
Romaine lettuce leaves, for serving

Directions

Light a grill. Rub the steaks all over with 3 tablespoons of the spice rub and let stand for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, scallions, garlic, jalapeños and the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of the spice rub. Stir in the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Brush the steaks lightly with olive oil and grill over high heat, turning occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes for medium-rare meat.
Brush the pitas with olive oil and grill until lightly toasted, about 30 seconds.
Transfer the steaks to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Thinly slice the steaks across the grain. Transfer the steaks to a platter and serve with the toasted pita, yogurt sauce and lettuce leaves.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Moroccan Chicken Kebabs

partysugar — Thu, 31 May 2007 08:59:31 -0700

During the summer, kebabs are an ideal quick fix meal. For super busy nights choose meats that don't need a long time to marinate and grill rapidly, such as poultry. In tonight's recipe the creamy marinade mixes together in minutes and the chicken soaks for 20 minutes. Blanching the vegetables before grilling allows them to get fully cooked without being charred on the outside and raw on the inside. Transform these tasty kebabs into an impromptu dinner party by pairing with purchased hummus, tabouleh, and crisped pita. Get a taste of Morocco with this recipe, just read more

Moroccan Chicken Kebabs
From Eating Well

1/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into smaller pieces
2 small bell peppers, chopped in large chunks
1 large zucchini, sliced in 1/2 inch rounds

Stir together yogurt, parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, oil, garlic, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper and cayenne in a medium bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat well. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat grill or broiler.
Blanch bell peppers in boiling salted water for 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and refresh with cold water.
Blanch zucchini for 1 minute. Drain and refresh with cold water.
Alternate chicken cubes, peppers and zucchini on skewers.
Grill or broil the kebabs until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley.

Serves 4.

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