Best Kisir Recipes

KISIR (TURKISH BULGUR WHEAT SALAD)

Steps:

• 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).
• 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).
• Refrigerate and serve cold.

KISIR

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium sized saucepan and sauté the onion to just take off the raw edge. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 secs or so. Add the cumin and chillies and cook for another 1 min. Stir in the tomato purée and 175ml boiling water. Add the bulgur, season, stir everything together, remove from the heat, cover and leave to sit for about 15 mins. The water should have been absorbed.
• Fork the grains to separate and aerate them, then add the tomatoes, walnuts, pomegranate seeds and herbs and fork them through. Mix the lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil and pomegranate molasses in a small bowl. Add three quarters of this, then taste to see if it needs any more (if it seems well flavoured and moist enough, then leave it).
• The kisir can sit at room temperature for a few hours, or covered in the fridge - but let it come to room temperature before serving.

VEGGIE BULGUR SALAD (KISIR)

Steps:

• Place the bulgur in a bowl; stir in the boiling water. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the chopped onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Drain the bulgur and return it to the bowl. Add the cooked onion, chopped tomatoes, cucumber, green and red bell peppers, green onions, parsley, mint, and red pepper flakes. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, the lemon juice, and the pomegranate molasses. Toss gently until the salad is thoroughly combined. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until serving.

TURKISH KISIR

Steps:

• Add the oil to a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onions and stir-fry for 5-6 mins (or until soft), then add the tomato puree and stir-fry for 2-3 mins.
• Add the tomatoes, turn the heat to low and leave simmering for 5 mins. Add the stock, turn the heat to high and bring to the boil. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the bulgar wheat.
• Add the lemon juice, spring onions, red pepper, chilli or cayenne pepper, garlic, cumin and cinnamon. Season to taste, cover and leave to stand for 15-20 mins.
• Toss to mix well, scatter over the pomegranate seeds and mint and serve warm or at room temperature, with lemon wedges and feta/haloumi