Best Lentils With Bulgur Wheat And Caramelized Onions Recipes

LENTILS WITH BULGUR WHEAT AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS - ... RECIPE

Steps:

• In a medium pot, combine the lentils and water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover, and simmer until still firm and almost done, 15 to 18 minutes. Add the bulgur wheat and 1/2 teaspoon salt, cover, and remove from the heat. Let sit until the bulgur is tender and the water is absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes, adding more water if the wheat seems dry. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and cook, stirring, until very soft, 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, cinnamon, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, black pepper, nutmeg, and allspice, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the lentil and bulgur wheat mixture and stir well to combine. Remove from the heat. In a large skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized to a very dark brown color, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the heat. Transfer the lentil and bulgur wheat mixture to a platter and top with the caramelized onions. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, to taste. Serve either hot or at room temperature, with pita bread. For the Pita Breads: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in 1/4 cup of the water. Set aside until foamy, about 5 minutes. Into a large bowl, sift 5 cups of the flour and the salt, and make a well in the center. Pour the yeast into the center well and mix the yeast into the flour, working in the remaining water. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead into a soft, pliable dough. Continue working the dough until it is smooth and shiny, 10 to 15 minutes, adding more flour as necessary. Knead 2 tablespoons of the oil into the dough and work the dough over itself into a smooth ball. Pour the remaining tablespoon of oil into a large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, cover with a damp kitchen cloth, and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees at least 30 minutes before baking. Lightly oil a heavy baking sheet. Punch down the dough and lightly knead for 2 minutes. Divide into 8 to 12 equal portions, depending upon your preference, and roll into balls. Flatten and roll with a rolling pin to about 1/4-inch thickness. Place on a lightly floured surface, cover with a lightly floured kitchen cloth and let rise until doubled in size, 30 to 40 minutes. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and bake until puffed and golden, about 5 minutes. Turn and bake on the second side, about 4 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool on wire racks. Repeat with the remaining dough. (Makes 8 to 12 breads) This recipe yields 4 to 6 servings.

BULGUR MUJADARA

Steps:

• Make the mujadara: Bring lentils and 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium pot over high. Reduce heat to low and simmer until lentils are partly cooked, 12 to 18 minutes. Taste a lentil to see if it's tender but still has a bite. The timing depends on the lentil variety: Black and le Puy need the most time; green needs the least. Remove from heat.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a medium frying pan over medium-high. Add the onions and cook, stirring regularly, until deep golden brown and starting to crisp, 15 to 20 minutes. It is important to get them to this point because dark onions give mujadara its distinctive dark color and flavor. Onions go from deep brown to burned very quickly, so be sure to remove from the heat before they burn.
• Pour the onions with the oil over the lentils, and stir in the salt and cumin. Add the bulgur, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to lowest setting and simmer, covered, until fully cooked, 10 to 15 minutes. Check on the mujadara periodically: If the bulgur and lentils are not fully cooked but the water has evaporated, add a few tablespoons of water and continue to cook until done. Place a tea towel or paper towels under the lid and let sit for 15 minutes.
• If you are making the optional topping, prepare it while the mujadara rests: Heat about 1 inch vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium to 350 degrees or until a small morsel of bread bubbles and immediately rises to the top. Cut the onion in half and slice through the core to create very thin crescents. Place onions in a medium bowl, sprinkle with the cornstarch and toss to combine. Working in small batches, carefully add to hot oil and fry, stirring occasionally for even browning, until crisp and golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels until dry and crispy, about 2 minutes.
• To serve, transfer mujadara to a serving platter and top with crispy onions, if using.