Happy New Year

Happy New Year, for all those who celebrate, and frankly for those who don't but I just like the sentiment. The New Year is 5770.


My mother's kasha with bowtie noodles, and brisket. Enjoy!

Ingredients
3 onions, diced
2 tablespoons oil
2 cups fine grain dried kasha (buckwheat)
1 large egg, beaten
8 cups chicken stock
2 cups small bow tie pasta

Directions

1 Fry the onion in oil and set aside.

2 Pour kasha into a hot pan and toast for about one minute while stirring.

3 Add beaten egg to kasha and continue stirring and seperating grains (don't worry if a few lumps appear, they will break up afterwards anyway) Lower fire to medium and add half the chicken stock- it will cook down quickly so keep an eye on it Once most of that liquid is gone, reduce the fire to low and add onions and remaining liquid.

4 Cover pan and allow it to cook for about 1/2 an hour.
5Once the liquid is cooked out, add the cooked pasta and serve hot.

Brisket

Ingredients
2 very large cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 8 to 10-pound brisket
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 pounds onions, halved and sliced
3 medium carrots, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
2 large, outside ribs celery, sliced 1/4-inch thick
4 small bay leaves

Procedure

1. Rub 1 chopped clove of garlic into each side of the meat.
2. Salt and pepper the meat on both sides.
3. Spread the onions, carrots and celery on the bottom of the pan. Put the meat over the vegetables. Put 2 bay leaves under the meat, 2 on top of the meat.
4. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and cook in a preheated 350°F oven for 4 hours, until meat is just tender.
5. Let meat rest 20 minutes, then slice: Cut the second cut off of the first cut and trim off and discard the layer of fat between them. Slice both cuts across the grain, either straight down or at a slight diagonal angle. Skim any fat off the juices left in the pan, and serve the onions and vegetables with the juices as a sauce for both the meat and any starch accompaniment. If desired, you can puree some of the vegetables to make a thicker sauce.
6. If preparing ahead for serving another day, refrigerate until several hours before serving time. Skim hardened fat off the surface of the liquid that has collected around the meat, and off the surface of the meat. Allow the meat to come to room temperature before final heating.
7. About an hour before serving, using a long-bladed, preferably serrated knife (I use a bread knife), slice the meat about 1/4-inch thick. It will require a sawing motion and a strong arm. Do not disturb the conformation of the meat. Return the meat to the roasting pan as if it was still a whole brisket.
8. Baste with pan juices and heat, uncovered, for 45 minutes to 1 hour, basting a few times during that period. The surface of the meat should have browned nicely, and the slices of meat should be heated through and fork tender. Trim excess fat off the meat on the plate, as it is eaten.

Picture of kasha and bowties

(Sorry the pictures aren't flush, Blogger has changed slightly and I cannot figure out the slight changes!)