Bulgur Wheat is made from different types of whole wheat grain, mostly durum. It’s first precooked, dried and then cracked. The wheat is naturally high in fibre and has a somewhat nutty flavor. It’s perfect in warm dishes, but also in warm or cold salads.

When I started on this dish, I actually had couscous on my mind. As I went to get the couscous from the pantry, I saw that I still had a box of bulgur. And I thought: hey, that would be great in this dish as well. And boy, did that work out well. The combination of the more substantial texture of the wheat, the softness of the roasted pumpkin, together with the oily smoked mackerel and the salty feta cheese… this was heaven on a plate.

Ingredients

1 butternut squash

3 smoked mackerel fillets

200 g bulgur

2 tsp couscous spice mix*

2 tbsp olive oil

200 g Feta cheese

small handful of dried cranberries**

Optional: chicken stock to cook the bulgur

*I make my own couscous spice mix, but you can use any of your favorite spices. The taste of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern spices pairs perfectly well with the bulgur, roasted pumpkin and smoked mackerel.

Couscous Spice mix:

• 1 tbsp coriander powder
• 1 tbsp ginger powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1/2 tbsp nutmeg
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1/2 tbsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp allspice
• t tbsp salt

Mix the spices together and keep in a jar.

**Instead of cranberries, you can use raisins or dried cherries.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 180°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Peel and cut the pumpkin in equal parts and put in a bowl.

Add the spice mix and olive oil and toss to coat.

Spread out on the prepared baking sheet and bake until the pumpkin is soft and nicely browned (ca. 20-30 minutes).

Take out of the oven and set aside.

Prepare the bulgur wheat according to the instructions on the package. Instead of water, I use chicken stock to cook it in.

Drain the bulgur and set aside.

Pull the smoked mackerel fillets in smaller pieces.

To assemble, mix the bulgur, mackerel and pumpkin pieces gently (you don’t want them mashed) and place in a large bowl or on a serving plate.

Crumble up the feta cheese on the salad and sprinkle the cranberries on top.

Serve with fresh Turkish bread or pita’s.

Enjoy!

If you like these types of salad, you will also like this Couscous Salad with Roasted Vegetables.

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Warm Bulgur Salad with Roasted Pumpkin, Smoked Mackerel and Feta Cheese

Author Nicole

Ingredients

• 1 butternut squash
• 3 smoked mackerel fillets
• 200 g bulgur
• 2 tsp couscous spice mix*
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 200 g feta cheese
• small handful of dried cranberries**
• Optional: chicken stock to cook the bulgur

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Peel and cut the pumpkin in equal parts and put in a bowl.

3. Add the spice mix and olive oil and toss to coat.

4. Spread out on the prepared baking sheet and bake until the pumpkin is soft and nicely browned (ca. 20-30 minutes).

5. Take out of the oven and set aside.

6. Prepare the bulgur wheat according to the instructions on the package. Instead of water, I use chicken stock to cook it in.

7. Drain the bulgur and set aside.

8. Pull the smoked mackerel fillets in smaller pieces.

9. To assemble, mix the bulgur, mackerel and pumpkin pieces gently (you don’t want them mashed) and place in a large bowl or on a serving plate.

10. Crumble up the feta cheese on the salad and sprinkle the cranberries on top.

11. Serve with fresh Turkish bread or pita’s.

Recipe Notes

*I make my own couscous spice mix, but you use any of you favorite spices. The taste of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern spices pairs perfectly well with the bulgur, roasted pumpkin and smoked mackerel.

Couscous Spice mix:

• 1 tbsp coriander powder
• 1 tbsp ginger powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1/2 tbsp nutmeg
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1/2 tbsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp allspice
• t tbsp salt

Mix the spices together and keep in a jar.

**Instead of cranberries, you can use raisins or dried cherries.