This is the kind of quick supper (if the buckwheat’s already cooked and the dressing’s in the fridge) that equates with comfort food for a young tot and I.  We each get a bowl of warmed buckwheat groats and then the young one requests bits of cabbage salad, additional dressing, cubes of avocado and a pickle or two from the fridge as the meal progresses.

I also find that it’s a nice way to end the season, acknowledging autumn with the warm and more substantial grains (I know, buckwheat isn’t a grain) while thanking the last of summer with raw fresh garden vegetables atop.  The creamy pumpkin seed dressing takes it up a notch and adds some fabulous extra flavor to the medley of tastes and textures in the bowl.

What you need for the buckwheat (makes 6 cups cooked):

• 2 cups buckwheat groats (not kasha, the untoasted groats)
• 2-3/4 cups water
• water to soak

What you need for the cabbage (per person):

• 2 cups shredded red or green cabbage
• a rib of celery, sliced
• a scallion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons of dressing (or more, or less, to taste)
• cubed avocado to serve (optional)

What you need for the dressing (makes about 2 cups):

• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 1/4 cup tamari
• 1/4 cup organic pumpkin seed butter
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/3 cup unpasteurized organic apple cider vinegar
• 3/4 cup flax oil

What you do for the buckwheat:

1. Soak the buckwheat overnight with water to cover by a few inches.  Drain and rinse.  It will be kind of slimy.  That’s normal.  Rinse some more and let it drain in the colander.
2. Place the drained buckwheat in a pot with the 2-3/4 cups of water and bring to a boil.  Cover, turn heat to low, and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed, approximately 15-20 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, 10-15 minutes.  Fluff and serve.

What you do for the dressing:

1. Put all ingredients in a blender or Magic Bullet type mixer and process until completely smooth.

What you do for the cabbage:

1. Mix all ingredients together.

What you do for the bowl:

1. Put a cup or so of buckwheat in the bottom of the bowl.  Top with the cabbage mixture and cubed avocado if using.
2. Enjoy.