Kasha And Orzo Pilaf Recipes

KASHA PILAF

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, toast kasha over medium high heat, stirring constantly, until it darkens and starts to smell nutty, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add oil, heat for a few seconds, then add onion and sauté about 3 minutes, stirring. Pour in broth or water, add salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer. Cover pot, turn heat to low, and cook until kasha is tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

SARAH'S RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a lidded skillet over medium-low heat. Cook and stir orzo pasta until golden brown. Stir in onion and cook until onion becomes translucent, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Mix in the rice and chicken broth. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender, and the liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

KASHA & ORZO WITH PORTABELLAS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan or skillet on medium-high heat, cook the onions and mushrooms in the oil with the garlic, thyme, and salt until the onions are translucent, about 8 minutes.
• In a bowl, lightly beat the egg. Add the kasha, stir to coat well, and add to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until the egg is dry, making sure to separate any clumps of kasha. Add the orzo and the boiling water, cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 15 minutes.
• When the kasha and orzo are tender, stir in the butter. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve topped with sour cream and toasted walnuts.
• Add a chopped red bell pepper to the onions and mushrooms after they've been cooking for about 5 minutes.
• Almost any sautéed chopped vegetable can be incorporated into this dish-try whatever appeals to you or what you find in your refrigerator waiting to be used up. Maybe carrots or zucchini, green peas, a leafy green, or even asparagus.
• For a richer flavor, use half water and half vegetable broth. Omit the salt if the broth is salted.
• This warm, comforting dish cries out for a light, tangy accompaniment. We like it with Corn & Pepper Salad (page 207) or Beet Salad (page 209). For dessert, consider Apples Two Ways (page 191), Cherry Shortbread Crumble (page 265), or Riesling Roasted Pears (page 264).

KASHA PILAF

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in a saucepan and add the onions and garlic. Cook, stirring, until wilted.
• Add the kasha, bay leaf, thyme, parsley, broth, salt and pepper. Bring to the boil and cover closely. Cook 10 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf, thyme sprig and parsley sprigs. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and the chopped parsley. Stir to blend.

KASHA PILAF WITH CARROTS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the onion, garlic and carrots. Cook, stirring, until wilted. Add the kasha, bay leaf, thyme, chicken broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer over a heat diffuser for 10 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs, if used. Add the butter and parsley. Stir well with a fork to blend.

KASHA AND BOW-TIE PILAF

Steps:

• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Cook onions, bell pepper and mushrooms in butter 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Remove from skillet to plate.
• In small bowl, stir kasha and egg, coating well. Cook kasha in same skillet over medium heat about 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until browned and dry.
• Return vegetables to skillet with kasha; stir in broth, salt and pepper. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until broth is absorbed and kasha is tender.
• Meanwhile, cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Stir cooked pasta and parsley into kasha mixture.