Kısır, The Turkish Bulgur Salad

Kısır is an all time favorite dish whether it is a leftover from your mother's tea party or a side dish for a picnic. It is a cold side dish that you can easily alter according to your own likes and dislikes. In a traditional Turkish kısır, there are plenty of cucumbers and tomatoes. But as you know I hate tomatoes and also not a big fan of cucumbers. This is why I do not like to add them but you can if you want to. Sky is the limit, you can try with whatever ingredient you want to, just be brave. 

Kısır is actually a women's favorite dish to prepare especially for tea parties. It is easy and quick to prepare, requires cheap ingredients that you always have in your pantry, is delicious and extremely healthy. I know that "quinoa" is the new trend right now but believe me bulgur is just as healthy and much more cheaper (in Turkey).  

image-facts from: google.com

My mother is known as the master of kısır by our family and friends. Every time she is invited to a party whether it is a birthday party or a tea party, her friends ask her to bring some. But like many Turkish moms, she does not have a recipe that she follows step by step, she just uses her eyes and hands to measure. With this method, the recipe might seem very hard to follow if you are not personally there watching her while she cooks. 

So, I went into the kitchen and watched her every step. I did my best to give you the exact measurements. I hope you will like the outcome, enjoy. 



Note: If you haven't heard of kısır before, let me say that it is very similar to tabbouleh. But I think kısır is much more delicious. 


Ingredients:
1 cup fine bulgur 
1/2 cup hot water, plus 1/4 cup if needed
2 tbsp tomato paste (domates salçası)
1 tbsp pepper paste (biber salçası), or tomato paste if you don't have in hand
1 bunch of scallions
1/2 bunch of parsley
1 1/2 tbsp of pomegranate molasses (nar ekşisi)
3/4 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp. red pepper flakes
1 lemon's juice
6 tbsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Optional:
2 medium tomatoes, chopped into cubes
1 cucumber, chopped into cubes
1 bell pepper, sliced


Directions: 

1) In a medium bowl, mix the bulgur and 1/2 cup hot water. Cover the bowl with a pot lid or a plastic wrap. Let the bulgur to soak the water for about 7-8 minutes, but do not open the lid until all the water is absorbed. 

2) Meanwhile, chop the scallions and parsley. 

3) Taste the bulgur and if it is still chewy add in more water and close the lid for 6 more minutes. If not, take a fork and fluff the bulgur. 

4) Add in the tomato paste, pepper paste, cumin, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Mix using a wooden spoon or your hands. I prefer to use my hands because you actually need to knead the bulgur rather than mixing it. 

5) Add in the olive oil, pomegranate molasses and the juice of a lemon. Slowly continue kneading and mixing the bulgur. Give a taste and make sure it is the way you want it to be. 

I personally prefer mine sour. This is why I usually add more pomegranate molasses and lemon juice here, but if you prefer a spicy one add more cumin and/or red pepper flakes. 

6) Add in the parsley and chopped scallions. (Also the tomato, cucumber and bell peppers if you are using them). Mix well. 

7) Serve with Turkish tea. 

Enjoy.