Lentil & Bulgur Pilaf with Green & Yellow Squash

From EatingWell: Fall 2004, March/April 1997, The Essential EatingWell Cookbook (2004) — Subscribe Now!

Based on a traditional Lebanese Lenten dish, this recipe makes a terrific meatless meal. Serve with warm whole-wheat flatbread or pita and a dollop of tangy plain yogurt.

Lentil & Bulgur Pilaf with Green & Yellow Squash Recipe

6 servings, 1 cup each

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

4 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, or vegetable broth
1 1/4 cups brown lentils, rinsed
1 medium onion, chopped
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
3/4 cup coarse bulgur, (see Ingredient note)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 small yellow squash, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, or dill

Preparation

Combine broth, lentils, onion, bay leaf, salt, allspice and pepper in a 3-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Add bulgur and cook until the lentils and bulgur are tender and the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes more. Remove the pilaf from the heat, discard the bay leaf and stir in lemon juice.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini, squash, garlic and lemon zest; saute for 5 minutes. Stir in parsley and cilantro (or dill). Season with pepper. Stir into the pilaf. Serve hot.

Tips & Notes

Ingredient Note: Fiber-rich bulgur is made from whole-wheat kernels that are precooked, dried and cracked. You can find it in natural-foods stores and many supermarkets.

Nutrition

Per serving: 259 calories; 3 g fat (1 g sat, 2 g mono); 4 mg cholesterol; 42 g carbohydrates; 17 g protein; 13 g fiber; 213 mg sodium; 659 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: 67% daily value fiber, 192 mcg folate (49% dv), 16 mg vitamin C (30% dv), 4 mg iron (25% dv).

1 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 2 1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 1/2 lean meat, 1/2 fat