Bulgur-Cauliflower Bowls with Olive Dressing

2 c. boiling water

1 c. bulgur

2 c. chopped or riced cauliflower

1/2 c. pitted Kalamata and/or green olives, coarsely chopped

3 T. lemon juice

3 T. olive oil

1 small clove garlic, minced

Black pepper

4 c. greens (bitter, mild, or mixed)

3 c. thinly sliced celery

1 15-oz. can Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained

1 c. (4 oz.) crumbled feta cheese

In a large heatproof bowl pour the boiling water over the bulgur. Cover and let stand 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, if using chopped cauliflower, process with 3-5 pulses in a food processor to finely chop.

For dressing, in a small bowl combine olives, lemon juice, oil, and garlic. Season to taste with pepper.

Drain bulgur; return to large bowl. Stir in cauliflower. Divide mixture into serving bowls. Top with greens, celery, beans, and feta, and serve with dressing.

Makes 4 servings.

Adapted from Weeknight Easy Favorites, p. 4. 

Summer Corn & Wheat Berry Salad

1-1/4 c. cooked wheat berries, farro, or bulgar
4 c. shredded kale, stems removed
4 c. shredded green and/or red cabbage
3 c. cooked sweet corn kernels, cooled
1/2 c. sliced green onions
4 medium oranges, supremed and 1/2 c. juice reserved
2 T. white balsamic vinegar
2 t. chopped fresh thyme
1 t. Dijon mustard
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
2 T. chopped toasted pecans* or pepitas

In a large bowl, combine grain, kale, cabbage, corn, and green onions. Gently add the orange sections.

Whisk together orange juice, vinegar, thyme, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste. Add dressing to salad, tossing to coat. Let stand 30 minutes before serving, tossing occasionally. Sprinkle pecans or pepitas on top just before serving.

*To toast pecans, heat a dry skillet over medium heat, add nuts, and stir and shake the pan frequently until nuts are golden and fragrant.

Makes 11 cups.

Adapted from Forks Over Knives, Summer 2019, p. 42.   

Seasonal Grain Salads

5-1/2 c. vegetable broth
3 c. quinoa, bulgur, and/or millet
Dressing and toppings as below

In a 3-4 qt. saucepan combine vegetable broth and grains. Bring to boiling; reduce heat and cook, covered, 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.

Prepare dressing while grains are cooking.

When grains are ready, divide cooked grains between 6 bowls. Add desired toppings and top with dressing.

Winter:
Dressing: 1/3 c. lemon juice; 1/3 c. olive oil; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1/4 t. salt; 1/4 t. black pepper
Toppings: 4 c. torn fresh chicories, such as escarole, radicchio, and/or endive; 3 c. chopped celery; 2 c. chopped cauliflower; 1/2 c. halved pitted Kalamata olives; 1/3 c. thinly sliced dried apricots

Spring:
Dressing: 1/2 c. olive oil; 1 t. lime zest; 1/4 c. lime juice; 1/2 t. salt; 1/4 t. black pepper
Toppings: 2 carrots, cut into thin ribbons; 1 c. snap peas, halved diagonally; 1 c. sliced English cucumber; 1/2 c. thinly sliced radishes; 1/4 c. chopped fresh mint; lime wedges

Summer:
Dressing: 1/2 c. olive oil; 1 t. lemon zest; 1/4 c. lemon juice; 1 T. snipped fresh oregano; 1/2 t. salt; 1/4 t. black pepper
Toppings: 4 c. fresh baby spinach leaves; 2 c. blackberries; 1 fennel bulb, halved, trimmed, and thinly sliced; 1 bunch green onions, sliced; 1 c. halved cherry tomatoes; 1 c. coarsely chopped pistachio nuts; 4 oz. goat cheese, crumbled

Fall:
Dressing: 1/2 c. olive oil; 1/4 c. cider vinegar; 2 T. maple syrup; 1/2 t. salt; 1/4 t. black pepper
Toppings: 4 c. fresh baby kale; 2-1/2 c. roasted cubed butternut squash; 2 c. slices roasted beets; 4 oz. crumbled blue cheese; 1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley

Serves 6.

Adapted from Fast & Fresh, p. 74. 

Bulgur Salad with Nuts, Honey, Cheese, and Pomegranate

1 c. coarse bulgur wheat (#3)
1 t. salt
1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 c. chopped toasted almonds
1/4 c. chopped toasted walnuts
1/4 t. ground allspice
1/4 c. pomegranate molasses
2 t. red wine vinegar
2 t. honey
2 scallions, ends trimmed, thinly sliced
1-1/2 c. baby arugula, washed and dried
1/4 c. chopped fresh mint
1 c. crumbled goat cheese
1/4 t. pepper

Fill a medium pot two-thirds with water and set it over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil. Add bulgur and salt. Boil for 6 minutes. Strain the bulgur.

While the bulgur is still warm, add oils, nuts, allspice, molasses, vinegar, and honey. Mix well.

Add the scallions, arugula, mint, cheese, and pepper. Toss to combine. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper, if necessary.

Serve at room temperature.

Serves 4.

Adapted from The Everything Mediterranean Cookbook, p. 89.

Best-of-It Bulgur Pilaf

2 c. vegetable broth
1 c. medium bulgur
1 T. dehydrated minced onion
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 c. dried cranberries
1/2 c. toasted slivered almonds
1 t. dried parsley or mint or 1 T. fresh

Bring the broth to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the bulgur and onion; stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and simmer until the bulgur is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 8 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cranberries, almonds, and parsley or mint. Cover and let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 4 servings.

Adapted from Apocalypse Chow!, p. 138.