Kasha With Squash And Pomegranate Food

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.

KABOCHA SQUASH AND SHIITAKE WONTONS WITH POMEGRANATE-VINEGAR SYRUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Slice the squash in half and place the halves face-up on a baking sheet. Bake until soft and fork-tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Scrape into a large bowl, add 2 tablespoons of the butter while still warm and mash with a fork until mostly smooth. (Alternatively, you can puree in a food processor.) Allow to cool.
• Meanwhile, in a small saute pan over medium heat, add the oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the garlic and ginger and cook 1 minute to soften. Add the shiitake mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a plate to cool completely.
• In the bowl containing the squash, fold in the cooled mushroom mixture and remaining 2 tablespoons butter and stir until well blended. Adjust the seasoning as necessary.
• Place 1 wonton wrapper on a work surface with 1 corner nearest you. Place 1 scant tablespoon of the filling in the center of the wrapper, moisten the edges with the egg wash and fold the bottom half over the top to create a triangular dumpling. Bring the left and right sides under the dumpling, moisten the points with the egg wash and pinch together to seal. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
• Fill a fryer or medium heavy pot one-third full with oil. Over high heat, bring the oil to 350 degrees F on a deep-frying thermometer. Add half the wontons and fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove with a large mesh spoon and drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining wontons. Season with salt. Transfer to a platter.
• In a small skillet, warm the pomegranate seeds over high heat. Once the pan is hot and the seeds begin to sizzle, add the rum and light with a lighter to flambe. Let the alcohol flames burn off, then pour the seeds over the wontons.
• Drizzle with the Pomegranate-Vinegar Syrup, sprinkle with the chopped chives and serve.
• In a nonreactive saucepan on low heat, add the vinegar and pomegranate seeds. Bring to a simmer and reduce by three-quarters, about 20 minutes. Test the reduction by drizzling a little on a chilled plate; the syrup should hold a line when the plate is tilted.
• Transfer the syrup to a small glass jar and cover when cooled. Store in the refrigerator up to 4 weeks.

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.

KASHA

Steps:

• Place the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, while stirring to crumble, until almost cooked through. Drain the grease, and reduce heat to medium. Stir in the celery, green onions, and tomato. Cook until the celery is tender, and the beef is browned.
• Meanwhile, bring the beef broth to a boil in a saucepan. Add the bulgur wheat, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 10 minutes, until tender. Stir the bulgur wheat into the vegetables and beef, and season with salt and cayenne pepper.

KASHA AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat.
• Add the onions and saute, stirring often.
• While the onions are sauting, heat the vegetable broth in a saucepan, to boiling.
• In a bowl, mix together the egg and kasha.
• When the onions have softened, add in the kasha mixture and stir well to combine.
• Stir the kasha mixture for a minute or two, until the kasha kernels are separate and dry.
• When the stock boils, add it to the skillet; cover, and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes or so, until the liquid is absorbed and the kasha is cooked.
• While the kasha is cooking, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in another medium skillet; saute/stir the mushrooms over high heat until the mushrooms release their juices.
• Remove the mushroom skillet from the heat.
• When the kasha is tender, add the mushrooms and 2-3 tablespoons of their liquid.
• Add in the soy sauce, dill, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve hot.

KASHA WITH VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Soak the dried mushrooms (shiitake or porcini are very flavorful) in water until soft.
• Drain, saving the soaking water, and slice, discarding any tough portions.
• Add the groats to 3 cups boiling water (including the mushroom-soaking liquid), lower heat, and add the carrot, the onion and the mushrooms.
• Cover and simmer until water is absorbed.
• Add salt or natural soy sauce to taste.