Greek Kasha Salad Recipes

GREEK SALAD

Steps:

• Place the cucumber, peppers, tomatoes and red onion in a large bowl.
• For the vinaigrette, whisk together the garlic, oregano, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Still whisking, slowly add the olive oil to make an emulsion. Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables. Add the feta and olives and toss lightly. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Serve at room temperature.

KASHA SALAD WITH HAZELNUTS AND FETA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix the kasha and egg white together in a small bowl until the kasha is well coated. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the kasha mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until the grains soften and separate and the egg adheres to the grains and dries out, about 3 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Spread the hazelnuts out on to a baking sheet and bake until golden and toasted, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and cool. Rub the skins off the nuts with a kitchen towel, then coarsely chop the nuts.
• Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the kasha, bring back to a boil, reduce the heat to medium low, cover and simmer until most of the water is absorbed and the kasha is tender, about 15 minutes. Spread the grains out on a baking sheet to cool.
• Whisk together the vinegar, oil, honey and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the cooled kasha, hazelnuts, carrot, parsley and feta and gently stir to combine. Serve at room temperature.

HOW TO COOK BUCKWHEAT KASHA

Steps:

• Rinse and drain buckwheat well.
• In a medium sauce pan, combine buckwheat with 1 3/4 cups water, 1 Tbsp butter and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a simmer then cover with a tight fitting lid and simmer on low for 18-20 min. Just like with rice, you should hear hissing while cooking and it will get quiet when done. Stir in additional 1 Tbsp butter if desired.
• Transfer all ingredients to the rice cooker and set on the white rice setting. When done, add an extra Tbsp of butter if desired and stir in 1-2 tsp water to moisten up the kernels if they seem dry. Serve hot.

KASHA WITH SQUASH AND POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment. Place diced squash on parchment, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and salt to taste and toss together until squash is thoroughly coated with oil. Spread out in a single, even layer on the baking sheet. Place in oven and roast for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until squash is nice and tender and the edges are lightly colored (some can be charred). Remove from heat.
• Meanwhile, toss together kasha or freekeh, pecans, pomegranate seeds, and chopped fresh herbs.
• In a small bowl or measuring cup whisk together vinegar, pomegranate molasses, allspice and salt to taste. Whisk in remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil and walnut oil. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add black pepper if desired.
• Add squash to grain mixture. Add dressing, toss together and serve.

KASHA

Steps:

• Combine water, salt, and butter in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Once it reaches the boil turn off heat and cover.
• Meanwhile, beat egg in a medium bowl and add kasha. Mix together until grains are thoroughly and evenly coated.
• Transfer to a medium-size, wide, heavy saucepan (I use Analon nonstick), place over high heat and stir egg-coated kasha constantly until grains are dry, smell toasty, and no egg is visible, 2 to 3 minutes. Add just-boiled water, turn heat to very low, cover and simmer 10 to 12 minutes for cracked kasha, 30 minutes for whole kasha, or until all of the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat.
• Remove lid from pan, place clean dish towel over pan (not touching the grains), and cover tightly. Let sit undisturbed for 10 to 15 minutes. Fluff and serve.

GREEK PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the penne, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Rinse with cold water and drain well in a colander set in the sink.
• Whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Set aside. Combine pasta, tomatoes, onion, green and red peppers, cucumber, olives, and feta cheese in a large bowl. Pour vinaigrette over the pasta and mix together. Cover and chill for 3 hours before serving.

KASHA SALAD (GOOD HOT OR COLD!)

Steps:

• Heat water, 2 tbs margarine, salt & pepper, onion, & veggies. Keep at a boil on med. high.
• Beat egg in a bowl.
• Add buckwheat to the egg and stir to coat evenly. (This step is absolutely necessary if you don't want buckwheat groats the consistency of oatmeal!).
• In a large skilet, add egg-coated buckwheat and cook on high for 3 min., stirring constantly, until egg is dried and buckwheat groats are separated.
• Reduce heat to low and quickly stir in the boiling liquid and veggies.
• Cover tightly and simmer for 5 minute.
• Stir in the remaining 2 tbs margarine and any additional spices you may want to add (I've used some garlic powder or Cajun spices, depending on my mood!).
• Eat now, or put in fridge to chill.