Ingredients for Firik Pilaf (Freekeh Bulgur Pilaf)
- 2 water glasses (about 200 ml / 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp each) freekeh bulgur (cracked freekeh wheat)
- 1 onion
- 3 long green peppers (sivri biber)
- 1/2 tea glass (about 100 ml / 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp) vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon salça (Turkish tomato paste)
- 1/2 dessert spoon (about 2 tsp) salt
- 1/2 dessert spoon (about 2 tsp) Aleppo pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried mint
- Cherry tomatoes, for garnish
How to Make Firik Pilaf (Freekeh Bulgur Pilaf)
Pick over 2 water glasses of freekeh bulgur and rinse until the water runs clear.
In a pilaf pot, sauté 1 finely diced onion and 3 finely diced long green peppers in half a tea glass of vegetable oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Add 4 finely chopped garlic cloves and sauté a little longer. Stir in 1 tablespoon of salça (Turkish tomato paste), mix briefly, then add the freekeh bulgur. Pour in enough hot water to just cover, then add half a dessert spoon of salt, half a dessert spoon of Aleppo pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon of dried mint; stir to combine. Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat and leave to cook through. When serving, garnish the top with cherry tomatoes.
