Bulgur wheat salad (Kýsýr)
Ingredients
- 200-250 ml. (7 to 9 fl. oz.) cup of
- cracked bulgur wheat
- 1 tbsp. tomato purée
- 1 tsp. red pepper purée (optional)
- 2-3 tomatoes
- ½ red bell pepper
- ½ green bell pepper (or chop a
- green chilli pepper to add a zing!)
- ½ yellow bell pepper
- 4 spring onions
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp. cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp. cumin (optional)
- Good handful chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp. freshly chopped mint
- (use 1 tsp. dried if not)
- 4 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice
- Chopped dill, to garnish
- This is a nice colourful addition to any buffet table. Choose your ingredients so that they are nice and vibrant. Use whatever herbs you have available.
Method
Place the bulgur wheat in a basin. If you are using dried mint, mix it with the bulgur wheat and pour on 2 cups of boiling water. Mix in the tomato and red pepper purées.
Leave to absorb and swell.
Meanwhile, chop the tomatoes and peppers into small pieces and finely chop the spring onions, including as much of the green part as you can. It looks better if everything is chopped into tiny pieces, rather than chunks. Empty into a large bowl.
When the cracked wheat has absorbed all the water, sieve and gently press out any water. Tip into the bowl with the tomatoes, peppers and finely chopped spring onions. Season well, add the spices and gently stir and mix.
Finally, just before serving, stir in the chopped parsley and mint. Finish with the olive oil and lemon.
Serve on its own or arrange some romaine lettuce leaves on a platter, spoon the bulgur wheat salad on top and sprinkle with a little dill.
This is great for buffet tables and the beauty is that you can adjust the ingredients to suit you!
Note: You can also finely shred some lettuce leaves and add those.