The olive oil would have affected the mouth feel differently than the
chicken fat. Perhaps that is what you are perceiving. I've always used the
chicken fat it lends a different subtle taste. Also, it's better than
butter, health wise and not bad enough to bother substituting oil for the
amount used. Some things just need the chicken fat like chopped chicken
livers or chicken liver pate or Kasha. Try the fat the next time and see if
it makes a difference.

Dennis
-------------------------------------------------
"Melba's Jammin'" > wrote in message
...
> OK, I made a batch today. Pretty good. The recipe is from the Second
> Avenue Deli and is on my web page. Pictures, too.
>
> OK, here's the recipe. I made half. And even measured (most of) it.
>
> Kasha Varnishkes
> Second Avenue Deli recipe
>
> 1-1/2 cups uncooked kasha (buckwheat groats, coarse cut)
> 2 eggs, beaten
> 1/4 cup corn oil or schmaltz
> 5 cups chopped onion
> 3/4 pound (12 ounces) bow tie noodles (varnishkes)
> 2-1/2 teaspoon salt
>
> Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix kasha and eggs thoroughly, and bake
> mixture in a shallow pan for 20 minutes. (I spread it out on a pizza
> pan. Those babies got very toasty but not burned. I was sweating
> bullets for a few minutes.)
> Heat corn oil (I used olive) in a large skillet, and saut onions,
> stirring occasionally, until well browned. Remove to a bowl, retaining
> cooking oil with onions (there wasn't any excess oil to retain).
> Boil 6 cups of water in a large stockpot. Remove kasha from oven, stir
> into the boiling water, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until all water
> has evaporated. (I used too much water, boiled for 20 minutes and
> drained it. Too soft.) When you're through cooking the kasha, break up
> clumps with a fork. (I broke it up before I put it in the water.)
> While cooking the kasha, in a separate pot boil the bow ties in water
> for 15-20 minutes, until fully cooked. Drain and rinse.
> Mix everything together, including salt, and serve.
>
> They're good but not as greasy as those at the Deli. Would schmaltz
> have made a difference in that regard? (Serious question. SmartAsses
> may refrain from responding -- got that, BOBS?)
> --
> http://www.jamlady.eboard.com, updated 11-9-05 finishing in four
> parts the trip report from our vacation time in San Francisco
> for Nephew Pat's wedding last weekend.