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Kisir (Turkish Bulgur Salad)

Kisir is a nutritious, filling Turkish bulgur salad with heaps of vegetables and herbs in a red pepper, tomato, and pomegranate seasoning.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Chill Time
30 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 241 kcal
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Mediterranean , Turkish

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fine bulgur wheat (See Note 1)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 3 tbsp pomegranate molasses or lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp red pepper paste (See Note 2)
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 3 green onions chopped
  • 2 plum tomatoes chopped
  • 2 dill pickles diced
  • 1/2 cup mint leaves (loosely packed) chopped
  • 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley (loosely packed) chopped
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Garnish
  • pomegranate seeds (arils)
  • lettuce leaves

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place bulgur wheat and salt in a 4 cup measure and pour the 1 1/2 cups boiling water over. Stir well to mix and cover with a lid or a plate and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir in pomegranate molasses. Set aside to cool.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium heat add the olive oil, tomato paste, red pepper paste and cumin. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes. Let cool.
  3. In a large bowl mix together the bulgur mixture with the cooked paste mixture. Stir to coat the grains thoroughly. Stir in the green onions, tomatoes, pickles, mint and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving.
  4. Serve garnished with pomegranate seeds and lettuce leaves.

Notes

  • If using a coarse grain bulgur, pulse it in a food processor or high speed blender until it's the consistency of fine cornmeal. I buy a 20-ounce bag of Sadaf Bulghur #1 Fine from a Middle Eastern market, or you can buy fine grain bulgur wheat at online retailers. If unavailable, Bob's Red Mill Red Bulgur is readily found in most markets in the States and can be pulsed to a finer grain in a food processor or Vitamix blender.
  • Biber Salcasi - Turkish Red Pepper Paste, is a wonderful paste that can be found with or without chiles in any Middle Eastern market. I prefer the one with a little heat. Made from red bell peppers and chiles, it is to Turkish cuisine what tomato paste is to Italian.

Nutrition Information

Calories 241kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 44g (15%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 6g (9%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 827mg (34%) Potassium 384mg (11%) Fiber 10g (40%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 738IU (15%) Vitamin C 10mg (11%) Calcium 51mg (5%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 241

% Daily Value*

Calories 241kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 44g 15%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 827mg 34%
Potassium 384mg 8%
Fiber 10g 40%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 738IU 15%
Vitamin C 10mg 11%
Calcium 51mg 5%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.