I’ve really been loving on buckwheat lately.
Seriously, I’ve been having it several times a week for the past 3 weeks.
I know, that’s so typical of me. It seems like I always have to get seriously obsessed with a certain ingredient for a while, then I eventually get tired of it and move on to something else.
Yep. This happens to me, like, constantly.
Remember how I did everything “orange” not so long ago?
And how I just threw smoothie after smoothie at you right before that?
Well, it looks like my flame of the moment would be buckwheat, so please, bear with me while I go through this little love affair.
Hey, at least buckwheat comes in two forms: flour AND groats. And I’ve been loving equally on both of them. Plus, I do savory AND sweets. So at least, you get a little bit of variety… ;)
I promise it’ll end soon. It always does.
Mind you, if I’m not going to be doing grains for an extended period of time, there is a very good chance that buckwheat will become my replacement of choice.
I don’t know about you, but I happen to really LOVE its earthy, almost dusty flavor.
It sort of reminds me of my dad.
Do you also tend to associate certain flavors or odors with people or events?
Do they bring back memories?
They do for me, all the time. Food is a very powerful and very emotional experience for me. Usually one of the agreeable kind!
This salad right here sure was an agreeable experience. It was my first time eating buckwheat cold like that, in a savory salad.
It certainly wasn’t the last. In fact, I made another version just a few days later, one that included a whole bunch of dried fruits and goat cheese… so you can expect another buckwheat salad recipe soon!
I’m telling you, cold buckwheat groats are awesome. In fact, buckwheat groats are awesome period. It seems like they work well with just about everything and anything.
They make great warm cereal, they are incredible baked with spinach and eggs, they are superb in salads such as this one here, you can add them to overnight oats or granola…
Seriously, if you haven’t tried them yet, you definitely have to!
Start with this super fresh and simple salad, why not?
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup buckwheat groats
- 2 cups water
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ chayotte, finely diced
- 12 large green olives, pitted and quartered
- 1 small yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup broccoli florets, chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 50g walnut, chopped
- ½ cup fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tbs fresh mint, chopped
- juice of 1 lime
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a small saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Add buckwheat groats, reduce heat, cover and cook until all water has absorbed, about 10 minutes.
- Remove lid and allow to cool for at least 30 minutes. You can also cook your buckwheat groats the previous day and let them cool overnight.
- Add all ingredients, including cooled buckwheat to a large mixing bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for a few hours (or overnight) to allow for flavors to develop.
Notes
Grain Free, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian







Haven’t eaten buckwheat groats in a salad in so long. This has instigated a craving for sure!
You’re in luck, Michelle! I’ve got a second buckwheat groats salad recipe coming very soon! And it’s even better than this one (it’s got dried fruits and goat cheese in it!!!) Stay tuned!
Your bowl of buckwheat comfort looks so good! I have only had buckwheat once that way, but I think I might have to go pick some up now
and I totally know what you are talking about when you get obsessed with certain foods and ingredients. I find myself eating the same thing for a month at a time, right now my obsession is chia seeds and zucchini-(not together lol)
Awww, thanks for making me feel better, Heather. I say you definitely should pick up some groats, I feel that obsession is not even close to wanting to subside… Ever tried making it into a pudding? Oh yeah! I feel this “urge” coming.
This recipe sounds great, Sonia! I’m trying to avoid grains lately so I love to try out different recipes with buckwheat. And you know what, you’re not the only one going through periods of loving a certain ingredient
Well, you are in luck Sarah, as I have decided to try and stay away from grainsas much as possible, especially gluten, for another 6 months. This means that I will be posting many more grain free recipes! Can’t go that long without baking, no way!
haha I love that you apologize for your affair. I go through those, too. Right now it’s Indian food. I can’t stop eating it?!
Yeah, I kind of noticed that! But with reason, in your case!! Having just returned from a trip to India is reason enough to be loving on Indian EVERYTING! Did you happen to like Indian food before you went or did you develop that taste during your adventure there? I’m asking because I never really cared much for Indian flavors and would really love to grow into liking them…
I like cumin… guess that’s a start! Maybe I should try some of your recipes, that could surely help!
Yum! That salad looks delicious and what a fun way to mix it up from the usual. I have bough buckwheat groats and ground them into flour for bakes before but never cooked them whole. Next time I get them, I’ll definitely try this recipe!
You have a Versatile Blogger Award : ).
http://www.auntietreats.com/2012/04/versatile-blogger-award.html
By the way, this salad looks delish!
Thank you Amanda! I am really flattered! And glad you like the salad, too!
Ha, great minds think alike. I just posted a buckwheat salad too
Sonia, I love love love the new look of your site. That cartoon picture of you is brilliant, and also the cherries in “Foodie”. I love the colors and the ragged-looking dotty background. So much detail, well done!!!
You just posted that? How come I haven’t seen it? I need to head out to your site right away to check it out. Can’t get too much buckwheat inspiration now, can I? Wait… maybe I can!
Still, I HAVE to check it out!
Thank you so much for your nice comments on my site. I was looking forward to getting your feedback! So happy you like it. Thanks!!!!
Twins again!!!! We are both on a buckwheat kick these days.
LOVE it! I’m the same way in that I obsess over one ingredient/food/cuisine at a time and then find something else to replace it!
Yummmmmmy salad! I would love to eat this for lunch tomorrow!
Ps I’m still super excited when I see ur new site- amazing!
NO WAY!!! So you too have been going through pounds of groats and flour? You should share more of your buckwheat recipes, that way I could make this obsession last longer. Between your inspiration and mine, I could probably be eating buckwheat every day for the next six months…
Now that just totally reminded me of that gorgeous pudding you posted a couple of weeks back. How could I forget about that one? It looks sooooo decadent. Been having too much on my plate, lately, I guess… But this time, I won’t forget. I am totally eating this within the next week.
And ps… thank you so much for being so excited about my new site. There are still a few things here and there that need tweaking, but I’m so much happier with this new look. To be honest, I hated my old site. So much so, I wouldn’t even tell people about it ‘cuz I thought it was so ugly. This is a major relief, and I am real happy that you like it!
This is my kind of salad!