Kısır (Turkish Bulgur Salad)

Ingredients

For 6 portions

• 🌾 300g bulgur
• 🥤 300ml tap water
• 🥫 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 🏺 80ml olive oil
• 🍯 3 Tbsp pomegranate molasses
• 🍋 1 medium lemon
• 🧅 5 medium spring onions
• 🍅 2 medium tomato
• 🥒 150g cucumber
• 🌿 30g parsley
• 🌿 10g fresh mint
• 🌿 1 Tsp chilli flakes
• 🌿 1 Tsp cumin powder
• 🧂 1 Tsp salt
• 🥬 150g lettuce

Method

1. Put the fine bulgur in a large bowl. Stir the tomato paste, salt, chilli flakes and cumin into the boiling water and pour it over.
2. Cover with a plate and leave for 15 minutes until the water is absorbed and the bulgur is tender.
3. Fork it through, then knead with clean hands for 1 minute to spread the colour evenly. In Turkey, a spoonful of red pepper paste (biber salçası) would go in with the tomato.
4. Add the olive oil, pomegranate molasses and the juice of the lemon, and mix well.
5. Finely dice the tomatoes and cucumber, slice the spring onions, and chop the parsley and mint. Fold everything through.
6. Taste for salt and sharpness. Serve at room temperature in lettuce leaves.