How Authentic KISIR is made, a classic Turkish Bulgur Salad

Today we're making Kisir, a favorite bulgur salad from Turkey, this version from the city of Hatay is packed with flavors, giving it a unique tangy and herby flavour. This is a must have recipe for every household in Turkey and one of the most served side dishes in large gatherings.
Usually served with tender lettuce leaves, the classic version has a reddish color due to chili and tomato paste mixture.

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Ingredients:
• 2 cups bulgur (fine bulgur)
• 2 tbsp Turkish tomato paste
• 3 tbsp Turkish chili paste
• 80 ml pomegranate molasses (extra to garnish)
• 1.5 cups water (room temp.)
• 1/2 cup olive oil, 100 ml
• 2 tsp salt
• 3 tsp chili flakes
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 bunch of parsley
• 1 bunch fresh mint
• 8 spring onions
• Juice of a lemon (optional)
• Lettuce leaves, tomato slices and pickled cucumber to garnish and serve

Instructions:
1. Add 2 cups of bulgur into a large mixing bowl or tray
2. Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and 3 tbsp chili paste.
3. Gradually and slowly add water while kneading and mixing it
4. Continue kneading and adding room temp water (1.5 cups in total) until the bulgur is evenly mixed with the paste and has a nice red color.
Note: Some recipes suggest soaking the bulgur in warm or hot water, but I prefer the old school method with cold (room temp) water, which results in a better texture and enhanced flavor.
5. Once the bulgur is nicely mixed, red and fully absorbed the water, add the salt, cumin and the chili flakes
6. Add 50 ml of the pomegranate molasses and continue kneading and mixing until combined.
We will use the rest of the pomegranate molasses for the garnish
7. Once all ingredients are blended, add ½ cup olive oil and mix for another 3 – 4 minutes to combine
8. The final texture should be soft but still fluffy not sticky like a paste
9. Roughly chop the green parts of the green onions and finely chop the white parts
10. First add the chopped green onions and mix to combine and blend the flavors
11. Finely chop the parsley and the mint leaves and add into the bowl
12. Now gently mix the chopped parsley and the mint to combine without overworking the herbs
13. Serve with tender lettuce leaves, tomato slices and pickled cucumbers and garnish with the remaining pomegranate molasses.
14. Eat in a lettuce or wine leaves wrap with tomato slices and pickles. Add lemon juice to taste.
Note: In some recipes, lemon juice is also used at the beginning, but this classic recipe usually does not have lemon juice as it's mainly flavored with pomegranate molasses.

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