Subj : Kasha (Buckwheat)
To   : Ruth Haffly
From : Ben Collver
Date : Thu Apr 20 2023 10:37:08

  Re: Kasha (Buckwheat)
  By: Ruth Haffly to Ben Collver on Wed Apr 19 2023 13:11:17

 RH> I do one more step with kasha--been making it for 45+ years. Beat an
 RH> egg, then coat the kasha grains/kernals/whatever you want to call them
 RH> with the egg. Then saute them in oil or butter; I generally use a good
 RH> tablespoon or so (eyeballing it). Once the kernals are dry, add 2 cups
 RH> of liquid, bring to boil and reduce to low. Cook for 12-15 minutes,
 RH> until all the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork, then serve. I like
 RH> to use beef or chicken broth/stock for more flavor.

Thanks for the tip!  I'll try making it that way next time.

I remember experimenting with millet and i think it also turns out better
when it is toasted before cooking.

 RH> This is basically how Wolff's brand kasha boxes instruct how to fix
 RH> their medium granulation kasha. Used to be, we couldn't find it outside
 RH> of NY State; we'd have family bring it to wherever we were living or
 RH> we'd pick some up when we'd go visit family. Now it's much more
 RH> available thruout the States. I first encountered it when working at a
 RH> Jewish camp one summer; the cook there mixed it with sauteed onions and
 RH> mushrooms, called it Kasha Varnishkies. I think it is a varient on the
 RH> real thing but it does taste good.

A friend from Belarus served me kasha with sauce, pickles, and some chicken
substitute that i am not familiar with.   It tasted good to me.  I have
eaten buckwheat noodles for over a decade, but hadn't tried kasha yet.

It's not easy to find here, but i finally found in the bulk section of a
natural food store here in town.  I missed it at first because it was
sandwiched in between two different bins of oats.  The label says it was
grown in the USA.  An online search says that most US buckwheat is grown
in ND, WA, MN, and NY.

I was not aware of Jewish camp.  I looked at the "find a camp" page on
jewishcamp.org, and it reminds me a lot of my experiences at scout camp.
Very cool!

.