Kisir | Turkish Bulgur Salad
Author: 
Recipe type: Side Salad
Cuisine: Turkish
 
This recipe is adapted from Chef Ayse Serra Yucel, who prepared the dish during a virtual cooking demo that I recently attended. I've adapted the dish a bit based on what was available in my local market. I did not measure the yield of this recipe, but if I had to guess, I'd say it makes about 4 cups. The chef used her gloved hands to squeeze handfuls of the mixture together into small ovals and then served them inside baby romaine lettuce leaves for a meze. I served my version as a side salad.
Ingredients
  • 1 cup fine bulgur
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ medium onion, cut into small dice
  • ½ tablespoon red pepper paste
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 4 green onions (scallions), trimmed and cut into thin rounds
  • 2 medium tomatoes, cut into small dice
  • 1 orange bell pepper, cut into small dice
  • ¼ bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped (plus more to taste)
  • ¼ bunch fresh dill, finely chopped (plus more to taste)
  • ½ cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped, optional
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • Pomegranate molasses, optional
Instructions
  1. Place bulgur and salt in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Add water, cover with a lid or plastic wrap, and let sit 15 minutes until liquid has been absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the 2 teaspoons oil in a small to medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, 5 minutes. Set aside.
  3. Place the red pepper paste, red pepper flakes, and cumin in a small bowl and stir with a spoon to combine. Add to the bulgur and mix well with your hands (preferably gloved!) or spoon. until the bulgur grains are well coated with the mixture.
  4. Add the cooked onion, green onion, tomatoes, bell pepper, parsley, dill, and. mint as desired and stir well to combine.
  5. Stir in the olive oil, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasonings. Drizzle with pomegranate molasses, stir, taste, and adjust with a few more drizzles as desired. (The molasses adds tart, tangy, slightly sweet flavor.)
Recipe by Lizs Healthy Table at https://liz.afones.com/2023/05/24/kisir-turkish-bulgur-salad/