Bulgur Meatloaf With Prunes And Gouda Recipes

BULGUR PILAF WITH DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS

Steps:

• Place the apricots and prunes in a bowl, cover with water and soak overnight or for several hours. Place a strainer over a bowl, and drain the dried fruit. Cut in thin slices.
• Measure out 2 cups of the soaking water (or add enough water to make 2 cups), and bring to a simmer. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the bulgur, and stir constantly for a few minutes until the bulgur smells toasty. Add the salt, dried fruit and water, and bring to a boil. Boil for five minutes, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for eight to 10 minutes until the water has been absorbed. Remove from the heat, cover with a clean dish towel and place a lid over the towel. Allow the bulgur to sit for 15 minutes.
• Spoon the bulgur into a serving dish, top with the nuts and serve with plain yogurt on the side.

MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
• Soak bread crumbs in milk in a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, cook onion, garlic, celery, and carrot in butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Cover skillet and reduce heat to low, then cook until carrot is tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, allspice, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Add to bread-crumb mixture.
• Finely chop bacon and prunes in a food processor, then add to onion mixture along with beef, pork, eggs, and parsley and mix together with your hands.
• Pack mixture into a 9- by 5-inch oval loaf in a 13- by 9-inch shallow baking dish or pan.
• Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of meatloaf registers 155°F, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

MEDITERRANEAN STYLE MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F; place a rack over a rimmed baking sheet (I use a metal cookie cooling rack).
• In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat egg.
• Add in onion, celery, ketchup, bulgur, cheese, cumin, oregano and season with salt and pepper to taste; mix well.
• Add ground beef and mix well; using your hands works best.
• Shape loaf to desire size and shape and place in the center of the rack.
• Bake until an instant read meat thermometer registers 165 degrees F, about 45 minutes.