How to cook bulgur wheat | Tabbouleh-style bulgur and mixed bean salad | Vegan recipe

In this Middle Eastern-Mediterranean inspired dish, mixed beans, cashews, dried apricots and fresh veg combine to create this wholesome tabbouleh-style salad. Bulgur is very easy to prepare and makes a great alternative to rice and pasta. Serve it as a main, side dish or make ahead for a filling and healthy packed lunch. Serves: 2 – 3

Ingredients:

For the salad:

1 cup (220g) cracked bulgur wheat
2 – 3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
1 ¼ cup (300g) vegetable stock
400g can mixed beans, drained and rinsed
200g baby plum tomatoes, quartered and cut into small pieces
2 avocados, stoned, peeled and diced
2 spring onions, thinly sliced
75g dried apricots, chopped into small pieces
60g roasted salted cashews (or unsalted), coarsely chopped
20g fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
5g fresh mint leaves, chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the dressing:

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp agave nectar
¼ tsp (or less) chilli flakes
fine salt, to taste

Method:

1. Prepare the bulgur: the bulgur to water ratio is 1:1 ¼ . To be sure you have the correct ratio, use measuring cups or the same container to measure both the volume of bulgur and water/stock.

2. Heat oil in a medium-sized non-stick saucepan (for serving 2, use a 16cm diameter lidded pan), and swirl it to cover the bottom of the pan. When hot, reduce the heat to low, add the garlic, and fry for about half a minute. Add the bulgur, combine well and toast over a high heat, stirring all the time, for about 1 or 2 minutes. Pour over the vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Then, remove from the heat, cover with a lid and set aside for at least 20 minutes so that the bulgur can cook and absorb all the water/stock.

3. In the meantime, prepare the dressing: combine olive oil, lemon juice, agave nectar, dry chillies and a pinch of salt in a small bowl and whisk until smooth and slightly thick.

4. When the bulgur is ready, fluff it with a wooden fork and tip it in a large serving bowl. Add the beans, tomatoes and spring onions and toss to combine well. Add the avocado, apricots, cashews, parsley and mint and stir again to combine everything well. Finally, mix in the dressing, taste and adjust any seasoning as necessary. Stir once more and serve.

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