Ziggys Kasha Varnishkas Recipes

KASHA AND VARNISHKES

Steps:

• Heat oil, then saute onions until soft. Add carrots and saute until the onions take on some color. Add mushrooms, then garlic. Saute for 2 more minutes. Meanwhile, mix kasha with eggs and seasonings. Add the kasha egg mixture to the saute pan with the vegetables and cook over medium heat until dry looking and kernels separate. Add stock and cook, covered, until liquid is absorbed and kasha is tender, about 12 minutes,. Mix in bowties. Serve with ketchup and/or gravy.

KASHA VARNISHKES WITH CONFIT OF GIZZARDS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 225 degrees. Clean the gizzards, then cut them into 1/2-inch dice. Place in a small, heavy-bottomed pot, sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and add enough rendered duck or goose fat to cover. Bring to a simmer, cover the pot, and then transfer it to the oven's center rack. Bake, covered, for 2 to 3 hours, until tender and chewy but not browned. The gizzard confit can be left to cool and then refrigerated in its fat until serving.
• Put the kasha in a medium bowl and mix well with the egg and 2 tablespoons of the chicken broth. Bring the remaining broth to a boil. Place a skillet with a lid over medium heat and add the kasha, stirring it for a few minutes until it is firm and smells like toasted nuts. Pour the hot broth into the skillet. Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes or until cooked.
• In a sauté pan, heat 2 tablespoons of the duck fat over medium-high heat. Add the onions and the mushrooms and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden, about 5 minutes. Add the gizzards and cook until warmed through. Season with salt and pepper. Mix with the kasha and cooked noodles and sprinkle with the parsley.

KASHA VARNISHKES

Steps:

• Put onions in a large skillet with a lid over medium heat. Cover skillet and cook for about 10 minutes, until onion is dry and almost sticking to pan. Add fat or oil, raise heat to medium high and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is nicely browned, at least 10 minutes or so longer.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. In a separate, medium saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil, stir in the kasha and about a teaspoon of salt. Cover and simmer until kasha is soft and fluffy, about 15 minutes. Let stand, off heat and covered.
• Salt the large pot of boiling water and cook noodles until tender but still firm. Drain and combine with the onions and kasha, adding more fat or oil if you like. Season with salt and lots of pepper and serve immediately.