Description
A hearty and wholesome one-pot meal featuring nutty buckwheat toasted to perfection, combined with savory ground pork, sautéed vegetables, and subtle seasoning. This dish is cooked entirely in a heavy-bottomed pot, offering a comforting, easy-to-make meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Grains
- 1 cup buckwheat (rinsed and drained well)
- 1 1/2 cups boiling water
Meat and Vegetables
- 1/2-3/4 lb ground pork
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium carrot, grated
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings and Condiments
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- Olive oil (approx. 3 Tbsp) for sautéing
Instructions
- Toast Buckwheat: Heat a dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add rinsed and well-drained buckwheat and sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 3-4 minutes until lightly toasted. Remove the buckwheat from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables and Meat: In the same pot, add 2 Tbsp olive oil. Add the diced onion and grated carrot, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add the ground pork and cook until it is browned and fully cooked through. Stir in 2 Tbsp ketchup and the minced garlic cloves, mixing well to combine all flavors.
- Combine and Season: Evenly spread the toasted buckwheat on top of the meat and vegetable mixture. Carefully pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water over the buckwheat. Sprinkle the salt, black pepper, and bay leaves evenly atop the pot contents.
- Simmer: Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 15 minutes or until the buckwheat kernels are soft and fluffy. Avoid stirring during cooking to ensure even absorption.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the pot from heat and let it stand, still covered, for an additional 10 minutes to finish steaming. After resting, stir gently and serve hot.
Notes
- Be sure to rinse and drain buckwheat well before toasting to remove any bitterness.
- Using a heavy-bottomed pot or dutch oven helps prevent burning and promotes even cooking.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste depending on dietary preferences.
- Ground pork can be substituted with ground beef or turkey if desired.
- Letting the dish stand off heat with the lid on allows the buckwheat to fully absorb moisture and become fluffy.
