Spicy Bulgur in Lettuce Cups (Kisir)

Ingredients

• 1 cup fine bulgur wheat
• 11⁄2 cups just-boiled water
• 3 green onions, finely chopped
• 3 ripe tomatoes, very finely chopped
• 1 small Persian cucumber, very finely chopped (about 31⁄2 ounces)
• large handful of parsley leaves, finely chopped
• small handful of mint leaves, finely chopped
• 1⁄2 cup walnuts
• seeds of 1⁄2 medium pomegranate
• 2 baby romaine or Little Gem lettuces, leaves separated (optional)
• 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 4 tablespoons pomegranate molasses, or to taste
• 4 tablespoons lemon juice, or to taste
• 11⁄2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1⁄2 to 1 teaspoon pul biber (Aleppo pepper), or to taste
• 1 teaspoon biber salçası (Turkish hot pepper paste, optional)
• salt
• black pepper