Kisir (Turkish Bulgur Wheat Salad)

Kisir (Turkish Bulgur Wheat Salad)

1 ½ cups cracked wheat (fine bulgur)
1 onion, chopped
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/3 cup olive oil
1 ¾ cups boiling water
1 tomato, chopped finely
1 cucumber, chopped finely (optional)
½ bunch of fresh parsley/dill, chopped finely
2-3 leaves of lettuce, chopped finely
1-2 green onions, chopped
1/3 cup lemon juice
½ tsp cumin
1 tsp dried mint
1 tbsp salt to taste

In a large bowl place fine bulgur and add boiling water. 
Stir and leave bulgur for 5-10 minutes to absorb all the water. 
Make sure that bulgur is not wet. 
The size of bulgur should be doubled.
Meanwhile, place olive oil and onions in a skillet and sauté over medium heat. 
Then add tomato paste and salt, sauté for 1-2 minutes. 
Add this mixture to puffed up bulgur and combine them using your hands. 
Then add lemon juice, cumin and dried mint. 
Mix them all and let them cool.
Finally, add tomato, cucumber, green onions, lettuce, parsley /dill and mix them all.
You can serve Kisir with lettuce leaves. 
Kisir is also good to go with pickles or pickled chili peppers and Ayran.