Kisir, the beloved Turkish bulgur salad, is the ultimate vibrant side dish or light lunch. In this episode of Culinary Compass, we share a highly praised, traditional recipe that guarantees a perfectly textured, grainy salad every time.
Kisir is a powerhouse of flavor and nutrition, featuring fine bulgur soaked in tomato and hot water, combined with a rich, savory sauté of onions, garlic, and homemade pastes, and finally tossed with an abundance of fresh herbs, tart lemon juice, and sweet-and-sour pomegranate molasses. This recipe emphasizes fresh ingredients and professional cooking techniques for the sauté base, ensuring maximum flavor extraction—a key principle of Culinary Education. This dish is naturally vegetarian, packed with Healthy Living components, and fits seamlessly into any Mediterranean Diet plan.
If you are searching for authentic Turkish flavors or a high-fiber, delicious salad, this is the gourmet recipe for you. Don’t forget to like this video, subscribe to Culinary Compass for more delicious and healthy recipes, and let us know in the comments how you enjoy your Kisir!
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INGREDIENTS FOR AUTHENTIC KISIR:
For the Bulgur:
3 cups Fine Bulgur
1 large Tomato, grated
Slightly more than 1 cup Hot Water
For the Sauté & Base:
1/2 cup + Olive Oil (or 1 small tea glass)
2 large Onions, chopped
2-3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 tbsp Pepper Paste (Biber Salçası)
1 tbsp Tomato Paste (Domates Salçası)
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
1 tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp Hot Pepper Flakes (optional, adjust to taste)
Salt (adjusted based on paste salinity)
For the Greens & Finish:
Generous amount of Fresh Herbs (Lettuce, Parsley, Fresh Mint, Green Onions), finely chopped
1 Lemon, freshly squeezed
2-3 tbsp Pomegranate Molasses (Nar Ekşisi)

Dining and Cooking