The Amazing Bulgur

Simple and quick. These are the two words that best describe the recipe below. I love cooking brown rice and bulgur, sometimes both together - even measures.

So, what is bulgur? For those not familiar with this cereal food, bulgur is a whole grain made from several different species of wheat, but most often from durum wheat. Because it contains more fiber, vitamins and minerals, it is more nutritious than white rice and couscous. It is a common ingredient in Assyrian, Kurdish, Turkish, Middle-Eastern, Indian and Mediterrean cuisines.
You can pre-cook it by leaving it in seasoned water for 2-3 hrs or cook it just like rice. The hot dog sauce can be used for mostly anything, from the conventional hot dog served in buns, to pasta (egg noodles, fusilli, spaghetti, orzo), rice, quesadillas, tacos, polenta. This week, I tried a combination that I hadn't tried before and the result was DELECTABLE! Enjoy!

Bulgur with V8 Hot Dog Sauce

1 package turkey franks
1 can tomato sauce
1 can V8 vegetable juice
1 tomato, diced
3 halves colored bell peppers (red, yellow, green), sliced
1 small onion, chopped
1 tbsp garlic
1 cup bulgur
1 1/2 cup hot water
Salt and pepper

Start by adding bulgur to pan. Add water and seasoning. High temperature until water starts to boil. Lower temperature until there is no more water. Let it rest in the oven.
Sauté onions for one minute. Add garlic. One minute later add tomatoes. Then add tomato sauce, vegetable juice, bell peppers, and seasoning. Let it cook until bell peppers are tender. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with bulgur and green salad.

You can add corn and sweet peas for more color and taste too!