How To Make Your Own Buckwheat or Kasha Recipe

Welcome to the Vegan Coach page dedicated to helping you create vegan kasha recipes or vegan buckwheat recipes.

But first...have you always thought buckwheat was a "wheat"? If so, join the club! Buckwheat is a seed and is not actually a true grain or related to wheat or the true grains in any way.

I adore buckwheat and the toasted version kasha (sometimes referred to as buckwheat kasha). They're delectable little morsels that are fun to play around with.

In fact, cooked buckwheat is perhaps my most favoritest ingredient when making burritos and wraps of all kinds because the mild flavor seems to work well with all fillings.

How To Select Buckwheat and Kasha

Before you create your buckwheat or kasha recipe, it will be helpful to know the difference between them.

Untoasted buckwheat (photo on right) is a pale greenish white and has a mild taste. It's a quick-cooking grain that's packed with nutrition. It usually comes "hulled" and has a pretty little heart shape unlike any other grain out there.

Toasted buckwheat is known as "Kasha" (photo on left). It has a dark brown color with an earthy flavor due to the toasting.

So buckwheat is RAW, and kasha is NOT RAW.

Always choose organic buckwheat or kasha. Organics tend to contain more nutrients and less pesticides (and other poisons like arsenic!), and will help your buckwheat and kasha recipes just taste better!

Most natural foods stores carry buckwheat. Be sure to check their bulk section first. (This is where I buy all of my grains.) Buy a little more than you need, storing the rest in the fridge or freezer. This way it will stay as fresh as possible and you'll have some on hand for your buckwheat emergencies! Plus, there's no packaging to toss into a landfill so you're helping to save the planet. Hooray! ;O)

Kasha is a more common grain than untoasted buckwheat and is usually found pre-packaged. Because it's toasted first it has an amber color and a complex flavor and scent.

Buckwheat comes in different grain sizes. I recommend the coarse grind to add more texture to your dishes.

How To Clean and Prep Buckwheat and Kasha

Buckwheat and kasha don't require soaking as some other grains do. In fact, to clean you'll just give it a quick rinse and drain completely to avoid a mushy dish.

To lend extra flavor to your buckwheat, toast it before cooking. Heat a frying pan and add the buckwheat. No need to add oil. Stir until toasted to your liking.

How To Cook Buckwheat and Kasha

Boiled Buckwheat and Boiled Kasha
Quick and easy, since it's such a fast-cooking grain. ...

Pressure Cooked Buckwheat and Pressure Cooked Kasha
Honestly, it doesn't take much longer to use a regular pot on the stovetop. But this info can come in handy for you...

Try Sprouted Buckwheat!
Perhaps one of the most foolproof sprouts you can make because they always turn out perfect...

Buckwheat and Kasha Vegan Flavor Matches

Create your very own buckwheat or kasha recipe with some of your favorite ingredients from this list of foods that match perfectly with buckwheat and kasha.

Asparagus
Butter, non-dairy (I like Earth Balance)
Carrot
Celery
Cinnamon
Fruit, especially bananas and blueberries
Garlic
Ginger
Mushrooms
Nuts, especially walnuts
Onion
Pepper, black
Pine Nuts
Potatoes
Rice, brown and wild
Rosemary
Sour Cream, non-dairy
Soy
Sunflower Seeds
Vegetables, any and all!
Veggie Broth

Psssst...Get ALL the Flavor Matches found throughout VeganCoach.com all in one place with this handy dandy e-book Your Guide To Vegan Flavor Matches.

CLICK HERE TO ASK A QUESTION
ABOUT COOKING BUCKWHEAT/KASHA

Buckwheat and Kasha Helpful Hints

• For maximum freshness, store buckwheat and kasha in the refrigerator or freezer for up to 6 months.
• As with all grains, test the freshness by giving it the "sniff test". If they have a slightly musty odor, toss.
• Shape your cooked buckwheat or kasha into burgers and pan fry, grill or bake.
• Do you follow a gluten-free diet? So does my friend, Carol who has been a celiac (coeliac) all her life. Check out her very helpful website at www.the-gluten-free-chef.com.

Discover the Nutritional Value of Buckwheat

World's Healthiest Foods.com

If You Like Kasha Try...

Barley!

Quinoa!

Ask Your Questions and Share Your Thoughts Here!

Please note: Submissions will be deleted if they contain blatant advertising, spam, or rude crude and discourteous negativity. Basically, be helpful and play nice. :O)

Please do not duplicate questions already asked.

To ask a question or share your expertise, fill out the form below.

Want to see what others have shared with our community? Click here to jump down below the form to read previous submissions.

Question about how to cook buckwheat or kasha?

Back to the top - Create Your Own Buckwheat or Kasha Recipe
Return to the Whole Grains page
Return to the Vegan Cooking page
Return to the VeganCoach.com Homepage

Follow us on Twitter!