Lentil & Bulgur Pilaf with Green & Yellow Squash

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


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.

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.

Green Beans with Creamy Garlic Dressing

Inspired by a Lebanese pasta dish, we toss steamed green beans with garlicky yogurt for an easy side dish. Try it with roast lamb.


Ingredients:

• 1 pound green beans, trimmed and cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces
• 1 small clove garlic, minced, or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
• Freshly ground pepper to taste

Preparation:

• Place a medium bowl of ice water near the stove. Bring an inch of water to a boil in a large saucepan fitted with a steamer basket. Add green beans, cover and cook until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the beans to the ice water to cool. Remove from the ice water with a slotted spoon and let drain on a kitchen towel; blot dry with another towel.
• If using fresh garlic, mash with salt using the back of a spoon until a paste forms. Whisk the garlic paste (or garlic powder and salt) with yogurt, oil, parsley (if using) and pepper in a large bowl. Add the green beans and toss to coat. Serve cold.

Lamb Chops with Lebanese Green Beans

Simple pan-roasted lamb chops are served alongside deliciously spiced stewed green beans and tomatoes in a riff on a Lebanese favorite, lubiyeh.

Serve with: Bulgur or rice pilaf.


Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint or 2 teaspoons dried, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more to taste
• 3 cups diced tomatoes (4-5 medium)
• 1/3 cup water
• 12 ounces green beans, trimmed
• 8 lamb loin chops, trimmed (1 1/2-1 3/4 pounds total)

Preparation:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and light brown, about 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon fresh mint (or 1 teaspoon dried), cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and water and increase heat to high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to break down, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in green beans. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the green beans are tender, about 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, sprinkle both sides of lamb chops with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lamb chops and cook until browned on one side, about 2 minutes. Turn them over and transfer the pan to the oven. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into a chop registers 140°F for medium-rare, 6 to 10 minutes, depending on thickness.
• Stir the remaining mint into the green bean mixture. Serve the lamb chops with the green beans.