Kisir (Spicy Turkish vegan bulgur salad)
Kisir is a traditional vegetarian Turkish salad hailing from the Gaziantep region. This time-tested vegan recipe is a harmonious blend of hearty bulgur, tangy tomato and pepper pastes, and the sweet kiss of pomegranate molasses. The secret to Kisir lies in the balance of ingredients, providing a true taste of Turkey on your plate.
Servings: 6 (yield: 8 cups)
Calories: 383kcal
Cost: $6.50
Ingredients
- 2 cups fine bulgur
- 3 cups
boiling water
- ¼ cup tatli biber salçası (Turkish pepper paste)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Aleppo pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons
lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
- 1 cup cucumber diced
- 2 scallions sliced
- 1 small red bell pepper
diced, seeds discarded
- ½ cup flat-leaf parsley chopped
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon coriander
To garnish:
- ½ cup hazelnuts toasted, roughly chopped
- 1 scallion (spring onion), thinly sliced
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
- ¼ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- Fresh parsley leaves optional
- Thinly sliced red onion optional
Instructions
- Rinse the fine bulgur and let it soak in boiling water for 15-20 minutes with a plate covering the bowl.
- In a separate bowl, combine Turkish pepper paste, tomato paste, Aleppo pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, olive oil, lemon juice, and pomegranate molasses to form a smooth paste.
- Mix in the paste along with the diced cucumber, chopped scallions, red bell pepper, flat-leaf parsley, cumin, and coriander to the bulgur.
- Garnish with toasted hazelnuts, thinly sliced scallion, pomegranate seeds, halved cherry tomatoes, and optional parsley and red onions.
Notes
🌾 Bulgur Soaking: Soak bulgur in boiling water. Don’t worry, you can’t over-soak it if you leave it too long, but let it hydrate covered for at least 20 mins. This also gives it time to cool down.
🎭 Flavor Harmony: Balance Turkish pepper paste, tomato paste, and pomegranate molasses; spice it up with Aleppo pepper or use aci biber salcasi in place of the mild red pepper paste. Tweak to your taste!
🌱 Creative Garnishes: Don't forget the garnishes! Follow my suggestions in the recipe or add flair with micro-greens, mint leaves, or fried shallots for a lovely presentation.
🍋 Zesty Citrus: If you want a more pronounced citrus flavor in the salad, add some freshly grated lemon zest or a pinch of sumac.
Nutrition
Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 530mg | Potassium: 584mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1405IU | Vitamin C: 43mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg