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.


Arabian Delites Opens Its 6th Outlet in Delhi with a New Cloud Kitchen in Vasant Kunj

Arabian Delites Opens Its 6th Outlet in Delhi with a New Cloud Kitchen in Vasant Kunj

By Hariharan U

Published on December 4, 2025

Arabian Delites has wrapped up 2025 with a major milestone as the brand opens its newest cloud kitchen in Vasant Kunj, marking its 6th outlet and 3rd cloud kitchen in Delhi. The launch strengthens the brand’s delivery network and brings its well-loved Middle Eastern flavours to yet another neighbourhood in the capital.

Founded in 1994 by K.D. Singh, Arabian Delites has spent over three decades building a strong reputation for flavour-forward, wholesome, and authentic Lebanese food. From shawarmas and doners to hummus bowls and falafels, the brand has remained consistent in offering meals that balance taste with a clean, health-first approach, a key reason behind its loyal customer base across Delhi-NCR.

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The year 2025 proved transformational for the brand. Arabian Delites doubled its team size, upgraded tech systems for smoother operations, and expanded its store count, laying a strong foundation for efficient national growth. The menu also expanded with new offerings, including traditional Middle Eastern desserts like Baklavas, giving customers more reasons to indulge.

The new Vasant Kunj kitchen continues this momentum. Designed to serve high delivery demand without compromising quality, the outlet will offer the full menu across major food delivery platforms. Customers can enjoy signature dishes such as doners, shawarmas, rice bowls, hummus, falafels, and desserts prepared fresh in a modern cloud-kitchen format.

Speaking about the expansion, Mandeep Singh, Director, Arabian Delites, said, “We are excited to continue expanding our reach across Delhi-NCR with this launch. With a solid foundation built in 2025, we are now well-prepared to scale responsibly across India as sustainable growth is more important to us than overnight expansion.”

Looking ahead, Arabian Delites has ambitious plans. The brand aims to reach 100 outlets by 2028 and is set to double its store count in 2026, moving steadily towards a pan-India presence


Daysie MG Road Unveils a Classic British Christmas Menu for the Festive Season

Daysie MG Road Unveils a Classic British Christmas Menu for the Festive Season

By Hariharan U

Published on December 4, 2025

Bengaluru is set for a cosy and classic Christmas this year as Daysie MG Road rolls out its British-inspired festive menu. With warm flavours, indulgent plates, and handcrafted holiday cocktails, the menu brings together comfort, nostalgia, and a little festive sparkle — just right for December gatherings in the city.

The menu opens with the Truffle Parsnip Velouté, a silky, earthy soup finished with chive oil and hazelnut crumble, a simple, elegant start to the meal.

Small plates bring comforting favourites with a gourmet twist. The Spinach & Ricotta Croquettes come crisp and creamy, paired with a light touch of honey and cranberry. The Duck Carpaccio adds a fresh, bright note with pickled pear and orange gel, while the Moroccan Lamb Cigars deliver bold, spiced warmth with a smoky harissa mayo.

For mains, the kitchen keeps the mood festive and hearty. The Spinach, Mushroom & Citrus Ricotta Cannelloni packs soft, clean, herb-forward flavours. Meat lovers can choose the Five-Spice Roast Duck, glazed with rosemary-plum and served with mushroom ragout and sautéed spinach. The Pork Chop with Mustard–Maple Glaze brings a sweet-savory balance with red cabbage and roasted Brussels sprouts.

Desserts stay true to the season. The Roasted Fig & Honey-Thyme Tart blends warm figs, mascarpone, and pistachio, while the Christmas Spiced Pavlova comes chai-kissed with bourbon-vanilla cream and winter fruits.

Alongside the food, Daysie presents a festive cocktail lineup. Classics like Eggnog and Mulled Wine bring familiar holiday warmth, while signatures such as Santa’s Little Secret, North Pole Adas, and the spiced Christmas Fashioned add playful indulgence to the celebrations.

With cosy flavours, festive drinks, and a warm Christmas mood, Daysie MG Road sets the perfect table for the season.


CYK Hospitalities Launches LANY, a Fresh and Modern Dessert QSR in Gurugram

CYK Hospitalities Launches LANY, a Fresh and Modern Dessert QSR in Gurugram

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 4, 2025

CYK Hospitalities, one of India’s well-known F&B consultancies, has launched its newest dessert QSR creation, LANY, at Ambience Mall in Gurugram. The brand brings a fresh, youthful, global-inspired take to India’s dessert scene and highlights CYK Hospitalities’ ability to build innovative models within this category.

LANY takes its name and personality from the cultural energy shared between Los Angeles and New York. The founders, Sanchita Sarin and Harsh Sarin, drew from their travels and mutual love for desserts to shape the brand’s identity, visuals and overall vibe. Their idea was to blend global inspiration with flavours and formats that feel instantly lovable in India.

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The menu brings together soft-serve desserts, stick waffles and its standout offering Taiyaki Cones. By positioning Taiyaki as its hero product, LANY steps into a niche space that connects familiar international formats with a modern appeal for Indian consumers.

Throughout the brand-building journey, CYK Hospitalities worked closely with the founders, offering support in conceptualization, menu planning, hiring, training, location selection and complete design direction. The aim was to create a seamless brand story that carries LANY’s multicultural inspiration effortlessly.

Sanchita Sarin shares, “LANY is built on a feeling that desserts should lift you instantly. We wanted to create something that has a global soul but is deeply lovable in India, simple, joyful, and instantly repeatable. CYK Hospitalities helped us convert this emotion into a brand that truly speaks to what we dreamt. CYK Hospitalities has been with us in forming this from the inner core to the outer covering, every minute detail, layer, and decision. We together have an entity that is globally connected yet India-specific.”

Speaking about the collaboration, Pulkit Arora, Director and Culinary Expert, CYK Hospitalities says, “The desserts category requires very clear, quick, and pleasant communication. With LANY, we aimed at making it large, sharp, and emotionally sticky. The whole conception was to form a dessert personality that consumers will very easily recall and very naturally come back to.”

Simran Jeet Singh, Director, CYK Hospitalities adds, "The choice of location is the point where the brand story starts. Ambience Mall is enabling LANY to reach out directly to the people who already like experiential global formats, thus making this concept very favourable for high conversions and repeat takes. This is the kind of placement that starts to lend brand equity right from day one, and at the same time, prepares the ground for the whole country to expand."

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