Bulghur Wheat (use instead of Rice)

During a phase when we were looking for new starches, my wife and I came across a packaged bulghur wheat product.  The box contained cracked wheat mixed with a little orzo and a "spice packet".  The instructions said to bring a cup of water to the boil with a little butter, throw in the contents of the spice packet and then the wheat/orzo.  After 15 minutes at a simmer, it was ready.  The result was interesting and tasty and we got into the habit of eating it more frequently than any other starch (potatoes, rice, pasta, etc.).

Then, suddenly, it started to turn out soggy.  After a couple of goopy meals, we discovered that the manufacturer had reduced the amount of bulghur by one quarter without changing the size of the box or the price.  Well, you can imagine how we felt.  Actually, you probably can't.  I tend to react more severely to this sort of thing than normal people like you.  I vowed never to buy another product from that manufacturer again (and haven't).

But, what would we eat? We soon discovered that you can buy bulghur wheat from many whole foods stores and grocery stores that pretend to be health and environment conscious.  Orzo is no problem; it's with the rest of the pastas in the supermarket.  But it took a while to figure out a substitute for the "spice packet".  The final answer is - one half of a Knorr Vegetarian Vegetable Bouillon Cube.

So, for two people, put one cup of water on to boil with about a teaspoon of butter in it.  Add half of the vegetable bouillon cube and save the other half for next time.  Throw in a tablespoon of orzo.  When the water boils, add half a cup of bulghur wheat.  When it returns to the boil, turn it down as low as possible.  It will be done in about 15 minutes.  Transfer it immediately to a warm oven if you're not ready to serve.  You can move it to a warm oven at any time after it has returned to the boil, actually, but it will take about 30 minutes to cook.  Cover the pan at all times.  If too much steam escapes, you may have to add more water later.