Kisir (Turkish Bulgur Wheat Salad)

MissLinguist's Note:

This is not a traditional Turkish Kisir, but the best I can do with the ingredients available in local stores. The salad is simple, and it's good for a light summertime meal.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 cup Bulgar wheat (Bob's Red Mill Light Bulgur Wheat is good)
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup fresh Italian parsley (1/2 bunch, chopped)
• ¼ cup fresh mint leaves (chopped)
• 1 large roma tomato (seeded and diced)
• 2 green onions (chopped)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• black pepper (to taste)
• cayenne pepper (to taste)
• 4 teaspoons red pepper paste (or Ajvar)

Directions:

1. Mix bulgur and water and set aside for 30 minutes, until all of the water is absorbed. (There is a special kind of bulghur used in Turkish Kisir, but any bulgur or cracked wheat that can be prepared in this way will work).
2. Add remaining ingredients, adding the red pepper paste last. (Trader Joe's makes Red Pepper Spread with Eggplant and Garlic, which works pretty well. The Turkish spread is called Ajvar (Ayvar/Hayvar/Havyar), and it is much more spicy).
3. Refrigerate and serve cold.

Reviews

[Arichka]

When I was making this salad, I did not expect much from the taste, I just wanted to use up some mint and bulgur wheat from my pantry.I decided to give it a try and made 1/2 of the recepie. The taste turned out much better then I expected. I will definetely make it again. The only change I made to this recepie is that I used 1 tsp of chili-garlic sause(from the supermarket) instead of red pepper paste. Wonderful, light ,healthy and fresh tasting salad. Thank you.