Mother's Day - Dzień Mamy

Mother's Day in Poland falls on May 26th each year. It is called in Polish: "Dzień Mamy" or "Dzień Matki".
On this day children  give their moms cards, flowers, chocolates and small gifts showing their love, respect and appreciation. Among many beautiful words, the most important are following : "Kocham Cię Mamo" - I love you Mom.

Naleśniki - Crepes



With strawberries and whipped cream
Own source


"Naleśniki" is a name for Polish pancakes and they are known in Europe and in United States as "crepes". They are easy to make and can be served not only as a breakfast item, but also as a dessert or a great meal for lunch/dinner. Dinner version of  "naleśniki"  has spicy filling, such as cabbage, mushrooms or meat with nutmeg. Prepared this way "naleśniki" are folded into rectangular shaped roll and are coated very often with bread crumbs before being fried again. The spicy version of "naleśniki" is called "krokiety".

I make "naleśniki" every time when I want to get myself in great mood! :) This means that I am choosing a sweet version for myself!
You can find recipes for spicy fillings in my next post "Pierogi time".

Recipe:
2 eggs,
1 cup all-purpose flour,
1/2 cup milk,
1/2 cup water,
1 tsp sugar (optional),
pinch of salt (optional),
vanilla sugar or dash of vanilla extract (optional),
Butter or vegetable oil for frying.

Whisk all the ingredients together (all optional ingredients are for extra flavor, you don't need to use them to make great "naleśniki"). Melt some oil or butter on the frying pan and wait until it gets hot. Pour small amount of batter and tilt the pan so the batter coats the surface. Fry on both sides until gold. Add oil or butter before frying each "naleśnik" (singular form).

Makes 8 small crepes/ "naleśników".


Ready for some filling :)
Own source



With strawberries and confectioners sugar
Own source

Fillings of my choice are:

• cherry jelly (rolled "naleśniki"),
• fresh fruit and cool whip/confectioners sugar,
• any pie filling,
• apple butter and walnuts, 
• cream cheese filling

I fold "naleśniki" with fruit or cream cheese filling into half - only once if they are small or twice if they are bigger. "Naleśniki" with pie filling, jelly or apple butter can be rolled.

Cream cheese filling:
Mix cream cheese with one big spoon of sour cream, some sugar and dash of vanilla extract.

With cream cheese filling and chocolate
Own source



You can choose your own filling and enjoy these delicious babies! yummy!!

Smacznego!

Majówka

"Majówka" (from month May - "Maj") is a name for a short spring break or weekend escapade which takes place anytime during a month of May. It is usually a short trip to the countryside, hiking trip to the Polish mountains or hiking/camping trip anywhere close to the beautiful Polish forests and lakes. All you need is a small backpack, smile and great company! There are many beautiful destinations for this kind of trip. The weather in May is usually sunny, air is fresh, flowers are blooming and birds are singing! After all May is "the month of People in Love" - "Miesiąc zakochanych"....

May 2009
Own source

"Majówka" can start as early as on May 1st which is a Labor Day in Poland ("święto pracy"). Followed by another national holiday "Constitution of May 3rd" ("święto Konstytucji 3 maja"), both holidays create a great opportunity to take a small break from work or school.

Happy May🌸

***A note about Polish Constitution:

• Constitution of May 3rd, 1791 is considered to be the first written Constitution in Europe and the second in the world, after United States Constitution.