Kasha and Beet Salad with Celery and Feta
Cookbook
The Complete Whole Grains Cookbook: 150 Recipes for Healthy Living
Published by Robert Rose

I love the robust flavors of this hearty salad. Beets, parsley and feta are the perfect balance for assertive buckwheat. It’s a great combination and a wonderful buffet dish, particularly if you’re serving to guests who are sensitive to gluten, as buckwheat is gluten-free.
Makes6 to 8 side servings
CostInexpensive
Total Timeunder 1 hour
Make Ahead RecipeYes
Kid FriendlyYes
One Pot MealYes
OccasionBuffet, Casual Dinner Party
Recipe CourseSide Dish
Dietary ConsiderationEgg-free, Gluten-free, Halal, Kosher, Peanut Free, Soy Free, Vegetarian
Five Ingredients or LessYes
MealDinner, Lunch
Taste and TextureChewy, Crisp, Herby, Savory, Sweet, Tangy, Umami
Type of DishSalad
Ingredients
- 2 cups (500 mL) vegetable or chicken stock
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (250 mL) kasha or buckwheat groats (see Notes)
- 2 cups (500 mL) diced peeled cooked beets
- 4 stalks celery, diced
- 6 green onions, white part only, thinly sliced 6
- ½ cup (125 mL) finely chopped parsley
- 3 oz (90 g) crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup (50 mL) red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp (5 mL) Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp (2 mL) salt
- ½ tsp (2 mL) freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp (45 mL) extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
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In a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring stock and garlic to a boil. Gradually add kasha, stirring constantly to prevent clumping. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed and kasha is tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Fluff up with a fork and transfer to a serving bowl and let cool slightly.
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Dressing: In a small bowl, combine vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper, stirring until salt dissolves. Gradually whisk in olive oil until blended. Add to kasha and toss well.
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Add beets, celery and green onions to kasha and toss again. Chill until ready to serve. Just before serving, garnish with parsley and sprinkle feta over top.
Variation: Rice and Beet Salad with Celery and Feta
Substitute 3 cups (750 mL) cooked long-grain brown rice for the cooked kasha.
Notes
Buckwheat groats that are already toasted are known as kasha. If you prefer a milder buckwheat flavor, use groats rather than kasha in this dish. Just place them in a dry skillet over medium-high heat and cook, stirring constantly, until they are nicely fragrant, about 4 minutes. In the process they will darken from a light shade of sand to one with a hint of brown. Groats you toast yourself have a milder flavor than store-bought kasha.
2008 Judith Finlayson