Welcome to my Polish table

After a few years spent in the United Kingdom, I came to the conclusion that people met the Poles, but not necessarily tasted their cuisine. Recipe books available nearly everywhere guide you through making traditional dishes from France, India, UK, Japan, Vietnam, Germany, Italy, Spain and many other countries or their specific regions. Many books teach you how to prepare a sophisticated dish probably served in any whatever star rated Michelin restaurant, one could not care less about. Sometimes it’s like a posh car you will never afford, but it’s nice to look at it. So there it is: TV cookery shows... and nothing Polish. TV cookery competitions... and nothing Polish. Newspapers and magazines with recipes and yet, I could not find a proper book with recipes regarding Polish traditional cookery.

Someone could say “Well, there are cookery books with eastern European cuisine.” and I might agree. Might agree, but not necessarily. Poland is not an eastern European country, which is obvious for everyone who knows the division between Europe and Asia. We’re really nowhere near Ural Mountains. Therefore eastern European cuisine is not quite ours, although it’s delicious as well. Besides, whatever recipe you get for a Polish meal, it’s only general. It’s like reading a recipe for peeling potatoes. It’s simple and obvious. The secrets lie in grandmothers’ minds.

My grandmothers have their secret touches to the dishes they prepare or used to prepare. Any dish deserved its Oscar equivalent. And even though I live in the UK, have tasted meals from different corners of the world and liked them a lot, I still can’t spend a single day without something from my background. Not bought in a Polish shop but made myself.
My lovely British neighbour appreciates any moment she digs into a Polish soup or any main course I prepare and share with her. Her reactions and opinions have always confirmed that what I prepare is good and worth sharing with others. So... here are some basic recipes straight from Poland and my grandmothers’ kitchens.

Ps – three rules: 1. we, the Poles, do not make soups in a processor, grinder, blender, mixer or any other machine like these ones. 2. we, the Poles, do not pile food on a plate but put everything next to each other. 3. we, the Poles, do not offer our guests small portions. We are generous by nature and very hospitable. Our plates are always full of delicious meals one can barely fit in their stomachs. Why put so much on a plate? Well... why complain and not just eat what you are able to? Besides, whatever we put on the plates always disappears really quickly.

Polish shops or delicatessens in the UK provide lots of ingredients to be used for traditional Polish meals. It’s the easiest way to get them and use them as suggested.