Mushroom Kuba (Houbovy Kuba)
6 servings
While Mushroom Kuba (houbovy 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...
Read more... and earthy 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.
Read lessx saved
Tom the Chef FounderNovember 22, 2024
Ingredients:
Soaking:
- 2 cups of dried pearl barley
- 6 cups of water
Cooking pearls barley:
- 4 cups of water
- 1 TSP of whole caraway seeds
Cooking:
- 5 TBSP of Pork Lard (Sádlo) (adjust if needed, or frying oil)
- 1 onion - peeled and finely chopped (large)
- 1 LB of mushrooms of your choice - sliced
- ½ stick of butter (any kind, 4 TBSP)
- 2 TBSP of dried marjoram
- 5 cloves of cloves - peeled and grated (or pressed)
- 1 TSP of salt (adjust if needed)
- ½ TSP of ground black pepper (adjust if needed)
To grease a baking dish:
- stick of butter - cold (you will use only part)
Directions:
1. Soak pearls barley:
To start preparing the Mushroom Kuba (Houbovy Kuba), begin by soaking the pearl 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).
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).
3.3. Add:
Cooked pearls barley
Sauté for an additional 3 – 5 minutes while constant stirring.
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.
5. Assemble Mushroom Kuba Houbovy Kuba:
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.
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.
6. Bake & serve Mushroom Kuba Houbovy Kuba:
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
Read moreMushroom 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.
Read lessAbout the Author:
Tom the ChefFounder
# 1
216 Followers
- Published Recipes: 270
- Av. Recipe Evaluation:
- Location: Iowa, USA
- Member since: 2023-02-02
Recipes
Try Other Recipes from Same Category!
Classic Cheese Fondue
Chef Jeff Cool CookBobalky with Sauerkraut
Tom the Chef FounderCamembert, Cranberry, Orange and Thyme, Puff Pastry Parcels
Faceless Chef Resident ChefChlebíčky – Czech Open-faced Sandwiches
Tom the Chef FounderCaviar Eggs
Tom the Chef FounderDisclaimer
- General Information Content on this page above, including the content provided on www.CookingHub.com, including all recipes, articles, and other materials, is for general informational purposes only. This content reflects the personal opinions and experiences of its authors and is not intended to provide professional dietary, medical, legal, or political advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making any decisions based on the information presented here.
- Content Ownership and Use Content on this page above, including content published on CookingHub.com is owned by the individual authors who created it. Only the authors can access, modify, or delete their content from the platform. Our content may be embedded on third-party websites and blogs without modification. No reimbursement will be provided for this use. If an author removes content from CookingHub.com, it will no longer be available through any embedded links.
- Limitation of Liability Neither www.CookingHub.com (operated by the CookingHub Foundation) nor content authors are responsible for any outcome or consequence resulting from the use of information on this site. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Food Safety: Any health risk related to food handling, food quality, or failure to follow USDA recommendations (including minimum safe cooking temperatures).
- Preparation Safety: The proper and safe handling of cooking equipment or its suitability for any given task.
- Recipe Outcomes: The final look, taste, or success of following a recipe.
- Ingredients and Equipment: The sourcing of ingredients, tools, equipment, or anything else related to the preparation and consumption of food.
- Nutritional and Dietary Information: The accuracy of nutritional data. This information is provided as a courtesy and should not replace advice from a medical provider. You are responsible for verifying that a diet is suitable for your personal health needs.
- Errors and Omissions: Any potential errors, typos, or unclear directions in articles and recipes.
- User Responsibility All readers, visitors, and users of embedded content are solely responsible for evaluating recipes and articles. You must make your own decisions about whether to follow the steps and recommendations provided. It is your responsibility to ensure that ingredients and preparation methods are safe and appropriate for your personal dietary restrictions and health conditions.
Comments