Kasha Varnishkes

2 cups bow-tie pasta

½ ounce dry porcini mushrooms

½ cup schmaltz or butter, divided

2 cups chopped yellow onion

1 tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 cup kasha, preferably coarse

2 teaspoons ground black pepper

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

1 cup chicken stock

2 bunches baby leeks, cut into ½-inch lengths (or 1 regular leek, diced)

½ pound veal or beef bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces, cooked until crisp

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl soak the porcini mushrooms in ¾ cup of warm water for 10 minutes. Drain the mushrooms, retaining the soaking water, then mince and set aside.

In a large saucepan over medium-high, melt ¼ cup of the schmaltz or butter. Add the onions and salt, then sauté until well browned. Add mushrooms and garlic, then cook for 1 minute. Add the kasha, pepper and thyme, then cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the stock, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a separate pan over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the remaining schmaltz or butter. Add the leeks, reserved mushroom water and bacon, if using, then saute until the leeks are tender.

In a large serving bowl, toss the pasta with the kasha mixture. Spoon the leek and bacon mixture over it, then garnish with chopped parsley.

Serves six.

Nutrition values per serving: 500 calories, 28 g fat (13 g saturated), 47 g carbohydrates, 4 g fiber, 20 g protein, 80 mg cholesterol, 1,890 mg sodium.

Adapted from Mark Spangenthal, Kutcher’s Tribeca restaurant, New York City