Red lentil and bulgur pilaf
April 30, 2013 • Category: Main Dish
I feel very fortunate to be able to escape from the hustle-bustle and super charged atmosphere of Beirut into the mountains every weekend; there, only 35 minutes away at 3000 feet altitude, lies a peaceful town surrounded by nature. After spending some time with a seasoned farmer who offered to show me where to find ( and forage) wild zaatar, I got home and realized that there was no food in the house save for some red lentils and a bit of bulgur. Thankfuly the onions were right there in the garden and I snatched a few. This dish is the result.
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 green onions, chopped including green tops (or 1 large onion)
- 1/4 cup olive oil (3 tbsp)
- 1 cup red lentils
- 1/2 cup coarse bulgur (#3 or 4)
- Spices: Salt, dash of black pepper, 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
- 1 tbsp red pepper paste or tomato paste
- 1 cup of chopped fresh herbs ( I used dill and zaatar and parsley)
Salah is picking zaatar from a field nearby.
1. Heat the oil in a soup pot; drop the chopped scallions and fry for 2 minutes; add the bulgur and stir to coat with oil; add the red lentils, the spices (less the salt) and the red pepper paste and pomegranate molasses and 3 cups of water with the bouillon cube; cover and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes or until the bulgur and lentils are done. Uncover, add the salt to taste and the fresh chopped herbs and serve.
NOTE: This dish tastes even better after a day or two.
Comments
10 Comments • Comments Feed
Joanne says:
This pilaf is totally my kind of meal…fresh healthy flavors!
On April 30, 2013 at 5:02 am
Rosa says:
A delicious combination! This is a dish for me.
Cheers,
Rosa
On April 30, 2013 at 5:06 am
Oui, Chef says:
I bet this delicious dish tastes even better out of that rustic bowl….so beautiful.
On April 30, 2013 at 2:49 pm
Lisa the Gourmet Wog says:
One of my favourites! It’s amazing how little ingredients can have such a flavour hit. Frugal living at its best.
On May 1, 2013 at 8:49 am
Ozlem's Turkish Tabl says:
Delicious flavors and great combination – look forward to adding the pomegranate molasses into the rice, that’s a new one for me – thanks for that ; )
On May 1, 2013 at 10:21 am
Belinda @zomppa says:
Lucky indeed! How great to be able to get away and to have someone in the know to guide you!
On May 1, 2013 at 6:10 pm
Susan says:
With freshly picked herbs from the mountains it must taste wonderful! I love that serving bowl.
On May 3, 2013 at 3:46 pm
domi says:
J n’ai d’yeux que pour ces ” lentilles “….
On May 9, 2013 at 10:47 am