BULGUR PILAF WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES Vegan

Crunchy and nutty, bulgur is the fastest-cooking grain in the cupboard. Topped with almost any stir-fried, pan-seared or roasted vegetable, it makes a meal. In this recipe, I use bell peppers, zucchini, carrots and red onion for their year-round availability, taste, color and texture.

Cook Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4 to 6

3	red bell peppers, diced (½ inch)
3	zucchini (about 6 ounces each), diagonally sliced (¼ inch)
2	large carrots, diagonally sliced (¼ inch)
1	large red onion, cut into wedges (¼ inch)
4	tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1½	teaspoons coarse salt
	Freshly ground black pepper
1	cup chopped onion
1½	cups coarse-grain bulgur
¼	cup raisins
¼	cup coarsely chopped pitted Kalamata olives
1	tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1	tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1	tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
1	teaspoon grated orange zest
2	tablespoons toasted pine nuts or ¼ cup toasted chopped walnuts or skin-on almonds

1. Place a heavy baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 450°F for 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, combine the peppers, zucchini, carrots and red onion in a bowl. Drizzle the vegetables with 3 tablespoons of the oil and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of the salt and a generous grinding of black pepper.
3. Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven and spread the vegetables on the pan. Roast the vegetables for 15 minutes. Stir with a spatula, turning the vegetables and moving them around on the pan so they'll brown evenly. Roast until browned and tender, about 10 minutes more.
4. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring, over medium heat until golden, about 10 minutes. Stir in the bulgur and raisins. Add 2 cups water and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Stir once to blend. Cover and cook over low heat until the water is absorbed, about 10 minutes.
5. Add the olives, mint, dill, parsley and orange zest to the hot roasted vegetables. Add half of the vegetables to the bulgur and fluff with a fork. Spoon the bulgur into a serving dish and mound the remaining vegetables on top. Sprinkle with the nuts and serve.

Substitutions
Feel free to mix and match the vegetables: try asparagus in spring, tender green beans in summer and cauliflower florets in fall.

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Make a Meal

Serve this satisfying main dish with a green leafy vegetable or a salad.

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