This recipe takes its inspiration from Rachel Allen’s Bulgur Wheat Pilaf from her book Entertaining at Home, which is one of my very favourite cookery books and very much worth purchasing, it has so so many delicious and easy-to-make recipes for the whole family.
Next question, I hear you cry, what is Pilaf? Well, I thought the same, so here is the Wikipedia definition:
Pilaf or pilau is a rice dish, or in some regions, a wheat dish, whose recipe usually involves cooking in stock or broth, adding spices, and other ingredients such as vegetables or meat, and employing some technique for achieving cooked grains that do not adhere.
Wikipedia
Also, what is bulgar wheat? Well, the most straightforward answer is it’s a bit like a coarser, more giant couscous – but I have cooked this recipe with both couscous and a combination of the two so both work as alternatives.
This courgette pilaf is such a versatile side dish, can be served hot or cold and also works excellently as the base of a salad. It is delicious!
Courgette Pilaf
Ingredients
- 1 large or 2 small Courgette cubed
- 1 swig Olive or Rapeseed Oil
- 2 cloves Garlic finely diced
- 350 g Bulgar Wheat/ Couscous or combination
- 140 g Sultanas or Raisins
- 2 tsp Whole Cumin Seeds
- 2 tsp Whole Coriander Seeds
- 50 g Spinach optional
- 1 bunch Fresh Mint Leaves diced
- 1 pint Vegetable Stock
- 1 Lemon Juice
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
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Add oil to a large non-stick frying pan and put it on a medium-high heat
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Dice courgette and throw in the pan, followed by onion, garlic, cumin and coriander
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Stir gently and cook until all ingredients start to get some colour
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Add in spinach (if using) and mint leaves (diced)
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Add bulgar wheat/ couscous and mix through, followed by sultanas/raisins
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Add in stock and lemon juice, mix through, turn off the heat and then cover for 5 mins
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Fork through, season to taste and serve
