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Christmas Appetizers

Mushroom Kuba (Houbovy Kuba)

6 servings
Vegetarian Diet, Czech Baking

While Mushroom Kuba may have taken a backseat to the grand Christmas feast in recent years, this hearty and flavorful dish still holds a special place in Czech and Slovak culinary traditions. Traditionally enjoyed as part of the Christmas Eve dinner, Kuba offers a comforting blend of textures and earthy...

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... flavors thanks to the combination of pearl barley and mushrooms. Our recipe invites you to savor this timeless classic any time of year. Whether you forage for wild mushrooms or opt for readily available varieties, the key is to embrace the simplicity of this dish and let the natural flavors shine. So, gather your ingredients and embark on a culinary journey to rediscover the heartwarming essence of Mushroom Kuba.

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Chef Tom Chef Tom Founder
November 22, 2024
  • 30 min.
  • 3 h
  • 1/5
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Ingredients:

Soaking:

Cooking pearls barley:

Cooking:

To grease a baking dish:

  • stick of butter - cold (you will use only part)

Tools:

Directions:

1. Soak pearls barley:

1.1. Place into a medium mixing bowl:

2 cups of dried pearl barley
6 cups of cold water

Thoroughly stir.

1.2.

Cover with a plate and let sit in water until partially softened (about 2 – 3 hours or overnight).

1.3.

Before cooking, drain the pearl barley over a colander.

2. Cook pearls barley:

2.1. Place into the pot:

Drained pearl barley
4 cups of water
1 TSP of whole caraway seeds 

Briefly stir, cover with the lid, place it on medium-high heat and bring it to a light simmer (temperature about 195°F).

2.2. Cook, covered with the lid, stirring occasional, until the pearls barley are soft and their texture is pleasant to eat (usually about 30 – 40 minutes).

Important:

  • Taste before completing this step.
  • Add more water if the liquid dilutes too much during cooking.

2.3.

Set aside for a later step.

3. Sauté onion:

3.1. Preheat a sauté pan on medium-high heat with 5 TBSP of frying oil and add:

1 large onion – finely chopped

Sauté with occasional stirring until glossy (about 2 – 3 minutes).

Mushroom Kuba - steps-01

3.2. Then add:

1 LB of mushrooms of your choice

Sauté until mushrooms get nicely cooked and reduce their volume (usually about 3 – 5 minutes).

Mushroom Kuba - steps-02Mushroom Kuba - steps-04

3.3. Add:

Cooked pearls barley

Sauté for an additional 3 – 5 minutes while constant stirring.

Mushroom Kuba - steps-05Mushroom Kuba - steps-06

3.4.

Set the pan on the burner (leave pearl barley, mushrooms, and onions in the pan).

4. Baking preparation:

4.1.

Set oven to preheat to 350°F.

4.2.

Remove a stick of butter from the refrigerator and grease the baking dish.

Mushroom Kuba - steps-07Mushroom Kuba - steps-08

5. Assemble:

5.1. Add to the sauté pan (at this point out of burner):

½ stick of butter – cut into a few slices
2 TBSP of dried marjoram
5 cloves of garlic – grated
1 TSP of salt
½ TSP of ground pepper

Thoroughly stir until fully combined.

Mushroom Kuba - steps-10Mushroom Kuba - steps-11

5.2.

Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.

5.3.

Place the mixture into the baking dish and smooth it out with a spatula.

Mushroom Kuba - steps-12

6. Bake & serve:

6.1.

Place into the preheated oven and bake until the surface turns a nice, appetizing color (usually about 15 minutes).

6.2.

Remove from the oven (can be served immediately).

6.3.

Scoop on individual plates & serve.

Mushroom Kuba (Houbovy Kuba): A Czech Christmas Classic Reimagined

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Mushroom Kuba, a traditional Czech Christmas Eve dish, offers a delightful journey back to simpler times. This hearty vegetarian meal, also known as Houbovy Kuba, beautifully combines the chewy texture of pearl barley with the savory depth of mushrooms, all enhanced by a fragrant blend of spices like marjoram and cloves.

Creating this culinary masterpiece is a simple yet rewarding experience. Begin by soaking 2 cups of dried pearl barley in 6 cups of water for several hours until softened. Then, cook the barley in 4 cups of fresh water with a teaspoon of caraway seeds until tender. While the barley simmers, sauté a finely chopped onion in 5 tablespoons of lard (or your preferred oil) until glossy. Add a pound of sliced mushrooms and cook until their volume reduces.

Now, combine the cooked barley with the mushroom and onion mixture. In the same pan, melt ½ stick of butter and infuse the dish with 2 tablespoons of dried marjoram, 5 cloves of grated garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a baking dish. Transfer the Kuba mixture to the dish, ensuring it’s evenly spread. Bake until the top is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Serve this comforting dish immediately and relish the harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Mushroom Kuba is more than just a meal; it’s a culinary tradition that embodies the spirit of togetherness and festive cheer. With its hearty texture, earthy flavors, and aromatic spices, this dish is sure to delight your senses and warm your heart, whether enjoyed as part of a Christmas Eve celebration or simply as a comforting vegetarian option.

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About the Author:
Chef TomFounder
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  • Published Recipes: 241
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  • Location: Iowa, USA
  • Member since: 2023-02-02
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