Turkey’s Beloved Bulgur Salad and How to Make It

Turkey’s Beloved Bulgur Salad and How to Make It

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on November 6, 2024

Kısır is a cherished dish from Turkey, woven deeply into the social and culinary fabric of the country. This zesty and vibrant salad, made primarily of fine bulgur wheat, is celebrated not only for its delightful taste but also for its simplicity and versatility. 

Kısır’s roots are firmly planted in the southeastern regions of Turkey, particularly in cities like Gaziantep and Adana. With a history influenced by Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, it shares similarities with the Levantine tabbouleh but stands out due to its unique blend of ingredients and regional variations.

Traditionally, kısır is more than just food; it's a symbol of community. It often appears at social gatherings, from afternoon tea parties to family dinners, where it's served as part of a broader array of meze (appetizers). Its vibrant color and refreshing taste make it an especially popular choice during the spring and summer months when lighter, more refreshing dishes are preferred.

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The base of kısır is fine bulgur, a type of cracked wheat that is both nutritious and filling. Unlike its coarser cousin used in pilafs, the fine bulgur is simply soaked rather than cooked, preserving its slightly chewy texture.

How to Make Traditional Kısır?

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fine bulgur wheat
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon red pepper paste (optional for more spice)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (or more, to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 3 green onions, finely sliced
  • Salt and red pepper flakes, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Place the bulgur in a large bowl and cover it with warm water. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes until it softens. Drain any excess water and fluff with a fork.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine the tomato paste, red pepper paste, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, and olive oil. Stir until smooth.
  3. Pour the paste mixture over the softened bulgur and mix thoroughly to ensure the bulgur is evenly coated.
  4. Mix in the chopped parsley and green onions. Season with salt and red pepper flakes to taste. (Some regional versions include diced cucumbers or fresh mint for an extra layer of freshness.)
  5. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with extra parsley or a few pomegranate seeds if desired.

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Psst! Additional Tips 

If you prefer a more citrusy taste, add extra lemon juice. For a richer, slightly sweet flavor, increase the amount of pomegranate molasses. And, letting kısır rest in the refrigerator for an hour or so allows the flavors to meld together.

With its combination of hearty bulgur, bold seasonings, and fresh vegetables, it’s both satisfying and health-conscious. Moreover, kısır is vegan-friendly, making it suitable for diverse dietary preferences.


Taj Agra Celebrates the Monsoon with a Refreshing Seasonal Mocktail Menu

Taj Agra Celebrates the Monsoon with a Refreshing Seasonal Mocktail Menu

By Hariharan U

Published on July 14, 2026

Taj Agra has unveiled its exclusive Monsoon Mocktail Menu, a limited-edition beverage collection celebrating the refreshing flavours and nostalgic charm of the Indian monsoon. Available throughout the rainy season, the menu features five handcrafted mocktails that blend tropical fruits with warming spices and artisanal syrups to create a distinctive seasonal experience.

Inspired by the changing moods of the monsoon, the collection combines ingredients such as mango, guava, watermelon, pineapple, ginger, mint, black salt, and chaat masala to offer a balance of refreshing and comforting flavours. Each beverage has been thoughtfully curated to complement the cool, earthy ambience that accompanies the rains in Agra.

Commenting on the launch, Aman Raj, Bartender at Taj Agra, said, "Monsoon in Agra has a unique charm that calls for comforting yet vibrant flavors. For this menu, we wanted to elevate familiar seasonal fruits by balancing their sweetness with the sharp bite of ginger, fresh mint, and classic street-side spices like chaat masala. These drinks do more than refresh. They evoke nostalgic memories of a classic Indian monsoon, perfectly complementing the cool, earthy atmosphere of the season."

The seasonal menu includes the Mango Monsoon Cooler, a refreshing blend of mango, lime, mint, and sparkling fizz; the Mango Masala Fizz, inspired by India's iconic fruit chaat with chaat masala and black salt; the Watermelon Mint Rain Cooler, combining fresh watermelon juice with muddled mint; the Spicy Pineapple Ginger Fizz, featuring pineapple, ginger syrup, and ginger ale for a warming finish; and the Guava Watermelon Punch, a layered mocktail combining guava, watermelon, and grenadine.

Through this limited-time offering, Taj Agra aims to create a sensory dining experience that captures the essence of the monsoon while showcasing seasonal ingredients through innovative, alcohol-free beverages.

Part of the Taj Hotels portfolio, Taj Agra continues to offer curated culinary experiences that blend contemporary hospitality with India's rich gastronomic traditions.


Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters to Open New Café at Vihang Ventura in Mumbai's Mira Road

Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters to Open New Café at Vihang Ventura in Mumbai's Mira Road

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 14, 2026

Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters has announced the opening of its newest café at Vihang Ventura, a premium commercial development in Mira Road. The café will be one of the anchor brands at the upcoming project, marking the company's continued expansion in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

Developed by Vihang Ahead, Vihang Ventura is designed as a modern commercial destination featuring premium retail outlets, flagship showrooms, office spaces and lifestyle businesses. Blue Tokai's entry aligns with the project's vision of creating a vibrant space where retail, dining and business come together.

The new café also reflects the changing landscape of the Mira Bhayandar region. Once known mainly as an affordable residential area, the locality is now emerging as a fast-growing suburban hub, supported by improved connectivity, rising household incomes and an increasing number of entrepreneurs, corporate professionals, Global Capability Centre (GCC) employees and young families.

As consumer preferences continue to evolve, the region has witnessed growing demand for organised retail, premium dining and lifestyle-focused experiences. Blue Tokai, known for its freshly roasted coffee, artisanal brewing methods and thoughtfully designed cafés, aims to cater to this growing market while complementing Vihang Ventura's premium retail mix.

Strategically located opposite the newly operational Kashigaon Metro Station, Vihang Ventura is expected to become a key commercial destination in the Mira Bhayandar region.

Purvesh Sarnaik, Director, Vihang Ahead, said, "Blue Tokai represents the new generation of premium lifestyle brands that resonate with today's discerning consumers. Their decision to establish a presence at Vihang Ventura is a strong endorsement of both the project's vision and the immense growth potential of the Mira Bhayandar market. As we continue to welcome leading national and international brands, we are creating a vibrant commercial ecosystem that seamlessly integrates retail, dining, business, and community experiences, making Ventura a destination of choice for the region."

Shivam Shahi, Co-Founder & COO, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, said, "Blue Tokai has grown into India's largest speciality coffee company, with over 258 locations across seven cities, driven by a simple vision, to make exceptional, freshly roasted coffee accessible wherever people choose to enjoy it. As Mira Bhayandar continues to evolve into a thriving residential and commercial hub, Vihang Ventura presents the ideal opportunity for us to bring the Blue Tokai experience to a vibrant, aspirational community that values quality, convenience, and meaningful café experiences."

India's specialty coffee market has seen significant growth over the past decade, driven by changing consumer preferences, higher disposable incomes and increasing demand for premium café experiences. Blue Tokai's upcoming café at Vihang Ventura reflects this shift while supporting the development's vision of creating a future-ready commercial hub where work, shopping, dining and community experiences come together.


Haldiram's Opens New Restaurant in Ayodhya's Ram Path Road

Haldiram's Opens New Restaurant in Ayodhya's Ram Path Road

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 14, 2026

Haldiram's has strengthened its presence in North India with the launch of a new restaurant in Ayodhya, bringing its signature range of traditional snacks, sweets and meals to one of India's most important spiritual destinations. Located on Ram Path Road near Ayodhya Railway Station, the new outlet is set to welcome both local residents and the millions of devotees who visit Lord Ram's Janmabhoomi every year.

The opening holds special significance for the brand, which shared that having "Ram" as part of its name makes its presence in Lord Ram's birthplace especially meaningful. The company described the launch as an opportunity to serve devotees and visitors while becoming a part of their journey to the sacred city.

The restaurant features Haldiram's wide selection of food, including its popular savoury snacks, traditional Indian sweets, chaats, North Indian cuisine, South Indian favourites, street-style Chinese dishes, freshly baked products and a variety of beverages.

The launch also aligns with Haldiram's ongoing 'Ache Din Aa Rahe Hai!' campaign, which encourages people to celebrate meaningful moments with family and friends while creating lasting memories over good food.

For Haldiram's, Ayodhya represents more than just another expansion destination. The brand said the opening is an emotional milestone and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of Ayodhya and the large number of pilgrims who visit the holy city throughout the year. Through its food offerings and hospitality, the company hopes to make every visitor's experience even more memorable.

With the launch of its Ayodhya outlet, Haldiram's continues to expand across emerging markets beyond metro cities while strengthening its presence in some of India's most cherished spiritual destinations.

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