Turkish Dishes: Bulghur Pilaf

Bulghur pilaf is an alternative to rice. However, I would not recommend to prepare it plain like rice. It can, however, be served side dish (kisir) or as a main course in Turkey.

Bulghur pilaf can be cooked with either vegetable and meat. For this recipe, I have used both vegetable and meat.

Bulghur Pilaf

You will need:
2 cups of Bulghur pilaf
1 small onion
1 tomato
1 pinch of parsley (fresh)
2 cloves of garlic
1 table spoon tomato paste
1 medium size eggplant
200 grams minced meat
1 tea soon salt
1 tea soon black pepper
1 egg
500 mL hot water
1/2 cup of olive oil


How to cook:

First is for preparing the meat: 
Add the chopped onion to minced meat with salt, black pepper and egg. Mix well. Set aside.


Next step is to cook together: 
Heat olive oil (or any vegetable oil of your preference) in a pan. Toss the  shredded garlic, chopped tomato pieces, parsley and tomato paste. Add the mixed meat previously set aside. Make sure all ingredients are cooked. Toss the bulghur pilaf in the mixture. Put hot water. Let it cook for about 10 minutes.

Serve hot.

Afiyet Olsun!

Leng's Note: Bulghur Pilaf can also be served during Turkish tea time with relatives. This is what we had during one of the last days in Istanbul 2010.

In the picture: lots of bulghur and beautiful cousins