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Shulbato

Shulbato: Palestinian coarse bulgur cooked with aubergine, courgette, peppers and tomato

Shulbato is a summer pot from the villages of the West Bank and Galilee, made when the garden overflows: coarse bulgur cooked with aubergine, courgette, peppers, tomato and plenty of onion until the wheat is fluffy and stained red. It is eaten warm or cool on hot days with a bowl of yoghurt or a cucumber salad, and it is also a fasting dish for Christian families. Common mistake: using fine bulgur, which turns mushy; it needs the coarse grade. Chef's tip: let the vegetables catch and brown a little before adding the wheat; that slight char is the flavour of the dish.
Total time
60 min
Difficulty
easy
Serves
4
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Ingredients

Serves4

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Method

0/6 done
  1. Step 1: Heat ¼ cup olive oil in a wide, heavy pot over a medium-high heat and fry 1 aubergine for 8 minutes, until browned on several sides. Lift out.

    8 min
  2. Step 2: Add 2 onions and 1 red or green pepper to the pot and cook for 6 minutes until soft and catching at the edges, then add 2 courgettes and 3 cloves garlic for 3 minutes more.

    9 min
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato purée, ½ tsp ground allspice, 1 ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper for 1 minute, then add 3 ripe tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes until saucy.

    4 min
  4. Step 4: Return the aubergine, add 9 oz coarse bulgur and 2 ¼ cups hot water, stir once and bring to the boil.

    3 min
  5. Step 5: Cover, turn the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes, until the bulgur has absorbed the liquid and is tender with a slight bite.

    15 min
  6. Step 6: Take off the heat, lay a tea towel under the lid and rest for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

    10 min

Nutrition per serving

Calories
430 kcal
Protein
10 g
Carbs
62 g
Fat
18 g
Fibre
13 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does shulbato take?
About 60 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegan?
Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
What can I use instead of onions?
2 shallots per onion.
What can I use instead of courgettes?
Cucumber, same weight (raw dishes only).

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