Farfel

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I can still hear my family exclaiming with joy when it was announced that we were having farfel. At long last I have rediscovered this delightful side dish that goes well with any roasted meat and perhaps even fish.

Ingredients:

1 small onion or 1/2 medium-large onion, diced

1 large garlic clove, minced

6 (or so) mushrooms (white or crimini) cleaned and chopped 

1 C farfel (egg barley noodles)*

2 C chicken stock

Schmaltz (chicken fat) or Canola (or other vegetable oil)

salt and pepper to taste

*Available on Amazon

Directions:

Heat some schmaltz or oil in a pan and saute the diced onions. Add the garlic and cook until just translucent. Add chopped the mushrooms and sauté until browned. Add the egg barley and toast until light brown. Add the chicken stock and salt and pepper. Cover and cook (as if it were rice pilaf) until liquid is absorbed 20 minutes or so. The pasta should be cooked through but not soft.

This can be made ahead, cooled and reheated gently adding more broth if it seems a bit dry.

Some people toast the noodles first in a 300 degree oven. Some people boil it and drain it before combining with the other ingredients and then baking it. I think the method I have given is more like what we had growing up. 

Elbow Macaroni with Butter and Sour Cream

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This is a very simple (and truly non gourmet-but addictive) side dish that for some reason I associate with salmon. Of course it could accompany any number of main courses but I think it would pair best with chicken, pork or veal rather than beef or lamb. In order to make the dinner process easier, I often prepare this ahead and reheat it in the microwave just before serving (perhaps with a bit more sour cream if it seems dry). There are no precise amounts given. Here your taste buds are your friend.

The dish is as follows:

Boil elbow (small) macaroni in salted water until done. Drain and toss with butter. Salt and pepper to taste and add sour cream to give it an almost creamy consistency. Check seasonings and serve at once, or cover and put aside and reheat in the microwave adding more sour cream if it seems too dry.

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