Kısır (Turkish Bulgur Salad)

Method

Tap a step when it's done.

1. 1Put the bulgur in a large bowl, pour over the boiling water and stir. Cover and leave for 15 minutes, until all the water is absorbed and the grains have swollen.
2. 2Add the tomato and pepper pastes and knead with your hands for 2-3 minutes while the bulgur is still warm. Keep going until the color is an even orange-red throughout.
3. 3Knead in the olive oil for another minute, then let the bulgur cool to room temperature; hot bulgur wilts the herbs.
4. 4Add the spring onions, tomatoes, green pepper, parsley and fresh mint.
5. 5Add the pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, dried mint, cumin, pul biber and salt and mix well with a spoon. Taste: it should be tangy, salty and gently spicy, so adjust with more molasses or salt if needed.
6. 6Chill for at least 20 minutes so the flavors meld. Serve spooned into lettuce leaves.