If you’re looking to switch up the side dish you always make with your protein, you can try this quick and easy yet filling lemon and herb buckwheat. It comes together in 15 minutes and 3 easy steps. It’s earthy, tangy, garlicky, and refreshing! It’s also super customizable. You can make this with chili oil and scallions for a Chinese-inspired dish or use olives, walnuts, and sun-dried tomatoes for a more Mediterranean spin. Get creative with it! But this lemon and herb buckwheat is a great place to start. It gets another brownie point because it is perfect for meal prep.
Lemon and Herb Buckwheat
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10-12 minutes
Serving: 1 portion
Ingredients
- 3.5 tbsp (50g) butter, room temperature
- 3.5 tbsp (50g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
- ½ cup + 2 tbsp (120g) sugar
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1 ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp (170g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- ¼ tsp salt
- 8 lotus cookies, or cookies of choice
Instructions:
1. Wash the buckwheat groats. Cook the buckwheat in a small pan with 1 cup of water and a pinch of salt (or 1 cup of veggie stock). Bring it to a boil and reduce the heat. Once most of the water is absorbed (about 5 minutes in) cover with a lid and cook until all the moisture is absorbed. Take it off the heat and let it steam with the lid on for another 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, Wash and chop the herbs. Crush or finely dice the garlic and zest a lemon until you’re left with ½ tsp of zest. In a small pan, add a drizzle of olive oil. Toss in the crushed garlic, lemon zest, black pepper, and salt. Saute until aromatic, around 30 seconds. Toss in the herbs and cook until vibrant green and wilted.
3. Toss the buckwheat in the pan and give it a good toss. Turn the heat off and add a squeeze of lemon juice. Taste for salt and lemon juice, adjust as needed.
Serve with an extra drizzle of olive oil or good quality tahini for a bit of nuttiness. Enjoy this quick and easy yet filling side dish which can be paired beautifully with any protein!
