How St. John's Eve or Sobotka Is Celebrated in Poland
In Poland, and other parts of the world, the midsummer solstice which celebrated the longest day of the year, typically June 23 (although in the United States, June 21 is considered the longest day) became a celebration of the day before St. John was baptized.
St. John's Eve or Sobótka was the officially sanctioned transfer of merrymaking centering around fire and water.
To this day, St. John's Eve is celebrated around the world, but to a lesser extent in the United States, with fireworks, dancing, music and special traditions. Read more about Sobótka in Poland and check out this video of a Sobótka celebration in Poznań, Poland, in 2011.
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Cousin Ela Gotter Cooks the Food of My Childhood
Ela coordinated a party for my sister and me that brought 30 of our relatives together, some from as far away as Katowice (near Kraków) in the south of Poland. We were touched by the enormous effort she and cousins Tola, Leszek, Wiesława, Teresa and the Jasiakiewicz men made for us, and their invaluable help in filling in many missing links in our family history.
For the party, Ela made schabowe, zrazy, pork scallops and sauce with just-picked and dried mushrooms, chicken salad with pineapple and corn, tuna-rice salad, baked chicken and so much more. When I saw the platter of kiszka, biala kielbasa, smoked sausage and coldcuts like krakowska, I knew I was in a Polish household.
And now I know where these enormous meals of my youth come from. It's a tradition for the women of my family to each bring a substantial dish to a big party and so it was at Ela's. Cousin Krystyna and her mother Teresa made pasztet (liver pate), cousin Ursula made bigos, and everyone brought their favorite dessert. The festivities were rounded out by Ela's cheesecake with dew or sernik z rosa and her homemade nalewka (fruit liqueurs), cousin Kóba's homemade red wine, and seemingly unending refrains of Sto lat!.
Another thing is now crystal clear -- long Polish goodbyes. Not only do you kiss on the cheek three times before finally planting one on the lips, but the farewells last almost as long as the party itself.
What an incredible experience this was. My sister is the family genealogist and kudos go to her for finding these wonderful long-lost relatives. Stay tuned for more family recipes.
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I've Discovered Karoun Cheeses
They specialize in Russian, Armenian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Indian, European, Hispanic, Greek and mainstream American cheeses and yogurts. That means, you can find labne, kefir and other hard-to-find items like sulguni and brindza cheeses. You can order online or at one of the many stores nationwide featuring their products (check the store locator online). Here are three recipes from Karoun Cheeses. Sign up for the Eastern European Food newsletter
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Making Polish Kolacz Recipe Reminds Me of Dad
In the Roman Catholic tradition, fathers are celebrated on Saint Joseph's Day or the Feast of Saint Joseph on March 19, but many Eastern European countries, along with the United States, have made a secular celebration of Father's Day.
In Russia, Defender of the Fatherland Day is Feb. 23. In Romania, Ziua Barbatului is celebrated on May 5. Father's Day is observed on the third Sunday in June in Bulgaria (some Bulgarians observe on Dec. 26), Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, and United States. Poland celebrates on June 23.
Remember dad in style with these recipes and gift ideas.
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Happy Father's Day
Here are two recipes that are sure to please Dad any time of the year:
- Polish Hussar Stuffed Beef Roast Recipe - Pieczen Huzarska
- Polish Grandmother's Cheesecake Recipe - Sernik Babci
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Eastern European Wedding Cake
Known as sękacz in Polish, raguolis or sakotis in Lithuanian, and kurtoskalacs or tepsiben in Hungary, this dessert is made by pouring batter over a hot, revolving spit. In the old days, it was done before an open fire. Now, it is done in a stainless steel oven of sorts that is heated by gas or electric.
In Germany, tree cake is known as baumkuchen, and it isn't pyramid shaped but a 3-foot-tall equal-width cylinder. Bakeries will divide these cylinders into 8-inch lengths and sell them, often dipped in chocolate.
See how a tree cake is made at Racine Bakery in Chicago.
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Polish Crullers a Year-Round Treat
Sweet fried dough is common from the Middle East to India to Mexico. In Poland, chrusciki, also known as faworki or Polish crullers, were traditionally served on Fat Tuesday as a swansong to edible indulgences before the fasting of Lent. But, today, these fry cakes, known as angel wings in the States, are enjoyed year-round, especially at holidays and for wedding sweets tables.
I have fond memories of my grandmother beating the dough by hand with a large wooden spoon until it made a clacking noise, only to turn it out onto a floured board and knead for another 10 minutes until the dough blistered.
Luckily, we have electric mixers to take the labor out of this scrumptious dessert. Follow these step-by-step instructions for making chrusciki.
Photo © 2008 Barbara Rolek licensed to About.com, Inc.
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Try Roast Rack of Pork for Father's Day Dinner
French the bones or have your butcher do it, and season it simply, a little garlic and a splash of oil and it's good to go. Just remember not to overcook it. Pork doesn't need to be roasted to death. Just 18 minutes per pound or an internal temperature of 150 degrees should do it. It has to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and the residual heat will continue to cook the meat but not dry it out.
Here are more Father's Day Menu Ideas.
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Polish Beef Roulade Fit for a King
This zrazy recipe is stuffed with pickles, ham and green onions, and can be prepared on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. But no matter how it is cooked, zrazy always tastes better the next day, so dad can take leftovers to work. Happy Father's Day!
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Lithuanian Tree Cake - Raguolis or Sakotis
I recently took a trip to Racine Bakery in Chicago to watch this treat, known as Lithuanian wedding cake, being made. Raguolis is also served on special occasions like Easter and Christmas Eve. Dana Kapacinskas, the owner of the bakery, and her staff of 40 make hundreds for the holidays and ship them all over the United States.
Take a look at how Racine Bakery makes Lithuanian tree cake and watch this video of sakotis being made before an open fire in Lithuania.
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