Bulgar Quinoa Pilaf
This dish results in a complex mix of flavors that I enjoy. The dish is quick to make, as Quinoa and Bulgar require little time to boil. For additional time savings, cook the grains in advance, then throw together the sauce.
Pilaf
The shallots and garlic, while good, can be skipped if you are short on time.
- Small amount grapeseed or other cooking oil.
- Shallots (or onion, to taste), diced.
- Garlic, diced. These could be cut large, and added first to the oil, where they will brown nicely, but still pack a good kick of raw garlic.
- Equal amounts whole grain Bulgar and Quinoa. I use ⅓ cup of each to feed myself.
- Double the amount of grains in water. 1⅓ cups, in my case.
- Chopped vegetables: carrots and celery work well, or I stock frozen vegetables (corn, green peas) to dump in when I’m in a hurry.
The making:
- If possible, submerge the grains in water for a minute or two, then pour off any debris, then briefly rinse. Quinoa that has not been pre-rinsed will need longer soaking to remove the saponins.
- Preheat the pot, add oil, and sauté the shallots and garlic to taste.
- Dump grains into pot, let sauté briefly (the grains really should be dry, but that would entail rinsing them earlier, then drying them somehow).
- Add water, bring to boil.
- Cover loosely, reduce heat to low, and let the water cook off. This takes around 10 minutes for me.
- Drop heat to warm, mix in the vegetables, and let that cook for another few minutes.
Sauce
There might be better sauces, but I currently like this one. Sugar addicted folks may need to add some brown sugar, or experiment with cutting raw sugar from the diet (always fun, given that in America the everyday ketchup, croutons, mustard, and so forth products all contain high fructose corn syrup). Mix together:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon mustard (whole grain does not mix as well).
- Salt & pepper to taste (not much needed, if any).
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground caraway seed.
- Small amount turmeric. Optional. Mainly for the color and possible health benefits.
Mix the sauce and grains well in a dish, serve warm.