GastronomicGallivant:Turkish Tabboleh "Kisir"

"Kisir" or "Turkish Tabbouleh" is a very popular salad in the middle-east that has ingredients like Bulgur, Spring Onions, Mint, Peppers and Olive Oil. The Lebanese have a variation of this called "Tambouli" and Armenians call it "Eetch". What do I call it? The best ever Tabbouleh I ever tasted. Ergo, Splendid!
A salad it may be but can certainly do double duty as a standalone main dish. Finish off the meal with Bulgur pudding.
Recipe Courtesy: Turkish Cultural Center

Ingredients:

• Fine Bulgur(Duru Bulgur) - 3 cups
• Water - 3 cups
• Onion - 1, medium, fine diced
• Green pepper - 1, fine diced
• Red Pepper - 1, fine diced
• Dill Pickles - 3, finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 Cloves,  minced
• Parsley - 1 bunch, cleaned and finely chopped
• Spring Onions - 4 stalk, finely chopped
• Mint - 3 stalks, finely chopped
• Basil - 3 stalks, finely chopped
• Pepper Paste - 2 tbsp (Available in Lebanese, Turkish stores)
• Pomegranate Syrup - 2 tbsp (Also available in Lebanese, Turkish stores)
• Olive Oil - 1/2 cup
• Lemon Juice - Juice of 1 Lemon
• Cumin - 1/2 tsp
• Black pepper - 1/2 tsp
• Red Pepper Flakes - 1/2 tsp

For Garnish:

• Lettuce Leaves
• Tomato - 1
• Mint Leaves - 3-4 stalks

Procedure:

• Bring the 3 cups of water to a roiling boil in a pan.Pour the Bulgur into the hot water and switch off the stove. Close the pan with a lid and wait till the Bulgur absorbs all water.(This happens in 15-20 minutes).
• In a skillet, heat half the olive oil and saute the onions,Garlic,Green and Red peppers for 5 minutes.
• Add the pepper paste, all the spices, chopped green onions and mix.
• Pour the juice of lemon and Pomegranate syrup.Add the Bulgur and mix gently until evenly incorporated.
• Cool completely and add the herbs - Parsley, Mint, Basil.
• Drizzle the remaining olive oil on top.
• Pile the salad on Lettuce leaves and garnish with sliced tomato and mint leaves.

Makes 8-10 Servings.

Enjoy!