Grechka s Gribami (Buckwheat with Mushrooms and Onions)
Local name: Гречка с грибами
In short: Toasted buckwheat simmered until fluffy and tossed with browned mushrooms and sweet onions. A vegan Russian staple with an earthy flavor. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 315 kcal
Buckwheat, called grechka, is one of the staple grains of Russian kitchens, and mushrooms are its favorite partner. The groats are toasted briefly, then steamed in a covered pot until each grain is separate and fluffy, never mushy. Onions and mushrooms are browned in a hot pan and stirred in at the end. The dish is hearty enough for a meatless lunch during fasting periods, and it also works as a side for cutlets, chicken or sausages.
Instructions
- Heat a dry, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the buckwheat and toast for 3 minutes, stirring, until it smells nutty.
- Stir in the tablespoon of oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt, pour in the boiling water, cover and cook on the lowest heat for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Take the pot off the heat, wrap it in a towel and let it stand for 10 minutes so the grains finish steaming.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a wide pan over medium-high heat. Cook the onions for 6 minutes until golden, then move them to a bowl.
- Add the remaining oil and the mushrooms to the pan and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until browned and their liquid has gone. Season with the 3/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper.
- Return the onions to the pan, add the buckwheat and dill and toss gently for 2 minutes. Serve hot.
Tips
- Do not stir the buckwheat while it steams and do not lift the lid. Stirring breaks the grains and makes the dish gluey.
- For deeper flavor, soak 10 g (1/3 oz) dried porcini in hot water, chop them and use the strained soaking liquid as part of the cooking water.
Questions and answers
Is buckwheat gluten-free?
Yes. Despite the name, buckwheat is a seed unrelated to wheat and is naturally gluten-free. Check the packaging for cross-contamination if you have celiac disease.
What is the difference between raw and toasted buckwheat?
Toasted buckwheat is brown with a strong nutty flavor, while raw groats are pale green and milder. Both work here, but dry-toast raw groats for a few extra minutes.
Can I make grechka s gribami ahead?
Yes. It keeps in the fridge for 4 days and reheats well with a splash of water.
How long does it take to make Grechka s Gribami (Buckwheat with Mushrooms and Onions)?
About 50 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Grechka s Gribami (Buckwheat with Mushrooms and Onions)?
About 315 kcal per serving, with 10 g of protein, 44 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 315 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 44 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 720 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
