Kisir (Turkish Bulgur Wheat Salad)

Ingredients

• 1 cup Bulgar wheat (Bob's Red Mill Light Bulgur Wheat is good)
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup fresh Italian parsley (1/2 bunch, chopped)
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves (chopped)
• 1 large roma tomato (seeded and diced)
• 2 green onions (chopped)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• black pepper (to taste)
• cayenne pepper (to taste)
• 4 teaspoons red pepper paste (or Ajvar)

Directions

1. 1

   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).

2. 2

   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).

3. 3

   Refrigerate and serve cold.