Equipment
Ingredients
Aromatics & Vegetables
- 45 ml olive oil, extra virgin
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced into 1cm squares
- 2 garlic, minced
- 2 roma tomatoes, diced
Grains & Base
- 200 g coarse bulgur wheat
- 30 g tomato paste
- 15 g red pepper paste
Liquids & Seasoning
- 400 ml vegetable stock, boiling hot
- 5 g salt
- 1 g black pepper, ground
- 2 g dried mint
- 2 g aleppo pepper or paprika
Finish
- 10 g fresh parsley, chopped
Nutrition (per serving)
Method
Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until translucent and softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the diced red bell pepper and sauté for another 3 minutes until slightly softened.
Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, and red pepper paste (if using). Cook for 1-2 minutes until the pastes darken slightly and the oil turns red.
Add the diced fresh tomatoes, dried mint, paprika/Aleppo pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes until tomatoes begin to break down.
Add the coarse bulgur wheat and stir well to coat the grains in the tomato-oil mixture. Pour in the boiling vegetable stock.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer gently for 15 minutes, or until the liquid is fully absorbed and small holes appear on the surface of the bulgur.
Turn off the heat. Place a clean kitchen towel or a layer of paper towels between the pot and the lid. Close the lid tight and let it rest undisturbed for at least 10 minutes. This step (demleme) is crucial for fluffy grains.
Remove the lid and towel. Fluff the pilaf gently with a wooden spoon to separate the grains. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and serve warm.
Chef's Notes
- The quality of olive oil matters here; use a good extra virgin oil as it provides a significant part of the flavor profile.
- The 'towel trick' under the lid is a standard Turkish technique called 'demleme' (brewing). It prevents condensation from dripping back onto the pilaf, ensuring distinct, non-clumpy grains.
- If you can find 'Biber Salçası' (Turkish pepper paste) at a middle eastern grocer, use it. It adds a depth of flavor that tomato paste alone cannot achieve.
- This dish tastes even better after resting for a few hours or the next day, allowing the flavors to meld.
Storage
Refrigerator: 4 days — Store in an airtight container. Flavor improves the next day.
Freezer: 3 months — Freeze in individual portions. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating: Microwave with a splash of water or steam gently on the stovetop to restore fluffiness.
