Gluten Free Lamb With Kasha Food

BRAISED LAMB SHANKS WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES AND BUCKWHEAT (KASHA) BREAD

Steps:

• For the lamb: In a large, heavy-bottomed braising pan or Dutch oven, heat the oil to very hot. Brown the lamb shanks 2 at a time. Remove them to a side platter. Add the onions and cook until lightly colored. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Return the lamb shanks to the pan and cover 2/3 up with chicken stock. On low flame, cook for 1 hour, repositioning the shanks for even cooking until very tender. Remove the shanks and strain the stock. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Skim off most of the fat and bring stock to slow boil in the pan. Blanch the potatoes in the stock for 2 minutes. Transfer to roasting pan and set in oven. Blanch and transfer carrots, then parsnips and then zucchini in same manner. Roast vegetables for 10 minutes. Add lamb shanks to roasting pan with vegetables after 5 minutes and roast them for the final 5 minutes. Add balsamic vinegar to stock and reduce over high heat until thickened. Adjust vinegar to taste. Serve shanks with vegetables and sauce.
• For the bread: Preheat oven to 375 degrees Lightly coat a 9 by 9-inch baking pan with 2 teaspoons of the butter. Put the cornmeal in the pan and shake to coat. In a bowl, stir together the kasha, flour, baking powder and salt. Mix in eggs, onion and buttermilk, then the remaining butter. Transfer to prepared pan and bake for 18 minutes or set and crusty. When cool enough, cut into squares.

WILD MUSHROOM AND ONION KASHA

Steps:

• Place porcini in small bowl with 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Let soak until mushrooms are soft, 1 hour. Remove mushrooms from liquid; squeeze dry. Set mushrooms aside. Strain soaking liquid, leaving any sediment behind. Reserve soaking liquid.
• Combine buckwheat groats and beaten egg in heavy large pot (preferably nonstick). Stir over medium heat until grains are separated and lightly browned, 10 minutes.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Transfer onions to bowl. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil, all mushrooms, and garlic to same skillet. Sauté until mushrooms are brown and tender, about 7 minutes. Add 1/2 cup reserved porcini soaking liquid and boil until liquid evaporates. Remove from heat.
• Add remaining reserved soaking liquid and 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth to pot with buckwheat groats. Cover and cook over medium-high heat until buckwheat groats are almost tender, stirring occasionally and adding more vegetable broth by 1/4 cupfuls if needed, about 20 minutes. Add onions and mushrooms to pot and cook until heated through. Season with salt and pepper.
• *Available at many supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Italian markets.