Kasha with Kale and Pancetta
Photo: Erin Kunkel; Styling: Christine Wolheim
In our favorite new weeknight meal, kasha and a poached egg rev up greens and smoky pork. The recipe comes from Sandy Sonnenfelt, prepared-foods director at Market Hall Foods and its flagship store, The Pasta Shop in Oakland.
Wine Pairing: A crisp Riesling such as Trisaetum 2013 Dry Riesling (Willamette Valley; $18). The wine offers bright citrus and minerality to handle the greens and egg, and the pancetta pulls out the wine's apple and stone-fruit notes. --Sara Schneider
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Bring broth, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1 tbsp. oil to a boil in a small saucepan. Add kasha. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is absorbed, 10 to 15 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
Step 2
2
Meanwhile, sauté pancetta in a 12-in. frying pan over medium heat until golden brown and starting to crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon from the pan to a small plate.
Step 3
3
Add kale and chile flakes to fat in pan. Cook, stirring often, until kale starts to soften and turn bright green, about 2 minutes. Add lemon zest, 1/4 tsp. salt, the pepper, and a splash of water if pan starts to get dry; cook a couple of minutes more. Stir in kasha mixture and 2 to 3 tbsp. more oil to moisten.
Step 4
4
Serve warm or at room temperature, with an egg on each serving if you like, and lemon wedges on the side.
Step 5
5
*Find kasha at well-stocked grocery stores and natural-foods stores, and at bobsredmill.com. For the best way to poach eggs, go to sunset.com/poachedeggs.
Ingredients
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, vegetable broth, or water
About 3/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided
3 to 4 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 cup kasha* (roasted buckwheat)
3 ounces diced pancetta
1 large bunch Tuscan kale (also sold as dinosaur or Lacinato kale) or curly kale, stems trimmed flush with leaves and leaves sliced crosswise 1/2 in. thick
1/4 teaspoon red chile flakes
1 tablespoon lemon zest, plus lemon wedges
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Poached eggs (optional)*
Directions
Step 1
1
Bring broth, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1 tbsp. oil to a boil in a small saucepan. Add kasha. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is absorbed, 10 to 15 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
Step 2
2
Meanwhile, sauté pancetta in a 12-in. frying pan over medium heat until golden brown and starting to crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon from the pan to a small plate.
Step 3
3
Add kale and chile flakes to fat in pan. Cook, stirring often, until kale starts to soften and turn bright green, about 2 minutes. Add lemon zest, 1/4 tsp. salt, the pepper, and a splash of water if pan starts to get dry; cook a couple of minutes more. Stir in kasha mixture and 2 to 3 tbsp. more oil to moisten.
Step 4
4
Serve warm or at room temperature, with an egg on each serving if you like, and lemon wedges on the side.
Step 5
5
*Find kasha at well-stocked grocery stores and natural-foods stores, and at bobsredmill.com. For the best way to poach eggs, go to sunset.com/poachedeggs.
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