LIFESTYLE

Try Cracked Whole Wheat Salad

Staff report
Pepper paste is the main difference between kisir, a Turkish dish, and tabbouleh, a Mediterranean/Arabic dish.

The Turkish Cultural Center of Rochester will make and offer samples of Cracked Whole Wheat Salad, also known as Kisir, on Saturday at the Rochester Public Market.

The demonstration, part of the Flavors at the Market series, will be given from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the market, 280 N. Union St.

For more information on the Turkish Cultural Center, go to turkishculturalcenter.org/category/tcc-rochester or go to facebook.com/tccrochester.

Cracked Whole Wheat Salad (Kisir)

Bulgur salad with parsley, tomato, cucumber, onion and green onion makes a perfect light lunch!

Prep time: 20 min. Serves: 4

1 cup fine bulgur

1 cup hot water

1 tsp. dried mint

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

Pinch of cumin

1/2 tsp salt

1 onion, finely chopped

7 Tbsp. canola oil

1 Tbsp. pepper paste

1 lemon, squeezed

7 Tbsp. olive oil

2 green onions, finely chopped

1 tomato, finely chopped

1 cucumber finely chopped

1/2 bunch of parsley, finely chopped

Grape leaves or lettuce (optional)

1. Soak bulgur with hot water in a large bowl.

2. Add mint, spices and salt and cover with the bowl's lid or with a piece of cloth. Wait until bulgur rises, about 10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile chop all vegetables.

4. Finely chop onion and sauté it in canola oil. Add pepper paste and spice mix until they are combined very well.

5. When bulgur rises, add sautéed onion, lemon juice and olive oil. Mix with a spoon.

6. Toss in chopped green onions, tomato and cucumber and mix. Serve the salad on plates with optional lettuce or grape leaves.