Wednesday, July 20, 2011

PIEROGI TIME ;o)

 I know, I know... People ask me all the time if I know how to make pierogi... Well, while being away from Poland, I CRAVE to make them! So, I gave them a try... few times, actually :) I remember my first pierogi, which I made for Christmas Eve for me and my husband, here in US. It was Christmas at our first home. They turned out quite nice, but next time I made them, they looked like Pokemons :)) (not, that I am against Pokemons). This time, I took it easy, and I am finally satisfied! :) The best pierogi for summer time are those with strawberries or blueberries :) Before you decide to make pierogi, make sure to have time and patience. It is going to be a little bit messy, so just have fun with it! And take your jewelry off, because it is going to be difficult to clean it.

Before
Own source
Recipe:
2 cups of flour,
egg,
hot water


Ingredients for filling:
strawberries, blueberries, farm cheese, sauerkraut, mushrooms, sauerkraut and mushrooms, meat, potatoes and farm cheese, potatoes and onions... and many more :) 
*****
Wash strawberries and remove green parts. Set aside. I didn't add any sugar, because strawberries are naturally sweet.

Mix flour and egg in a bowl using a fork (less messy version, but you can do it also on a clean countertop). Gradually add hot water, mix it in, and start kneading the dough with your hand until it is elastic.

You might need to add more water or more flour, if the dough is too hard or too loose. This part is a little bit tricky... Most of recipes don't give exact amount of water which should be used. You will need to modify it while kneading the dough, whatever works best for you.

Once your dough is ready, sprinkle your working surface with flour (the best is large wooden board) and do the same with your rolling pin. It prevents the dough from sticking. Divide the dough into 3-4 parts and roll each one until it is 1-2 mm thick. Cut circles using a large, round cookie cutter.

Place filling on one half of each circle, and stick the edges together using your fingers, and then using a fork. You don't need to put too much filling. In fact, I had trouble using whole strawberries, and I had to cut them into halves.

Boil water with salt in a large pot and then cook pierogi. Wait until they float and cook for 2-3 minutes longer. Serve them with creamer or cool whip. I usually use sour cream (8 oz.), granulated sugar and vanilla sugar (stir it well). It is delicious!
Given amount is good for around 18-20 pierogi. You can use more flour, if you want to make more pierogi :)
Smacznego!
   
And after :)
Own source
    
And strawberries..
Own source

*****
For pierogi with blueberries:
Wash blueberries and mix them with sugar (2 tbsp)
*****
For pierogi with sauerkraut:
Cook sauerkraut for around 30 min, cool and chop;
Chop an onion and fry it until golden (but not brown);
Combine sauerkraut, onion, salt, pepper
and cook on medium heat for another 20 min
*****
For pierogi with sauerkraut and mushrooms:
Add chopped mushrooms to the ingredients above before cooking
NOTE:
 The best are dried mushrooms
- first soaked in hot water and left for couple hours, then chopped.
If you don't have dried mushrooms, regular mushrooms will work too.
*****
For Russian pierogi - pierogi ruskie:
Cook potatoes, cool and smash them with a fork;
Fry chopped onion until golden;
Crumble farm cheese;
Mix all ingredients, add salt and pepper
*****
For pierogi with meat:
Day or few days before:
 save one roll/bun and wait until it gets dry
(don't cover it);
When you ready to make a filling for pierogi:
Cook beef and use grinder to finely chop it;
Chop and fry onion until golden; 
Place the roll in water or milk until it softens,
gently squeeze it,
and add to beef and fried onion;
Add 2 tbsp of bullion, salt and pepper,
 and if you like, add some nutmeg
*****
Pierogi can be cooled after cooking and fried on butter for extra crunch.

Serve them with small pieces of fried bacon or fried chopped onion (the spicy ones :)).

Garnish with fresh dill.
I always have fresh dill with my pierogi!!!
Looks great and its aroma tells me, that it is PIEROGI TIME... ;o)

Multimedia Fountain Park in Warsaw

Check it out!!!
Warsaw held a Grand Opening of Europe's biggest Multimedia Fountain Park in May 2011.
Water shooting to a height of 25 meters accompanied by classical music (well, not only, there is also room for Lady Gaga ;)))) ) attracts local people and tourists. Fountains are busting with colors! :) Performances involving lights, water and sound can be seen every Saturday until September. The Fountain Park is located next to the Vistula river bank and next to the Old Town.

Here is one of many videos taken during the show and posted on YouTube.
This one features "Contradanza" by Vanessa Mae - one of my favorites.

Own source

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Beatification of John Paul II

"Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought..."
John Paul II

     John Paul II - Jan Paweł II (May 18, 1920 - April 2, 2005) made many Polish people proud during his almost 27 years of pontificate. In fact, Poland became known to many travellers as Pope's Country. Today, as I am writing this post, we have Blessed John Paul II.
     Beatification mass of John Paul II took place on May 1, 2011 in Rome, Italy. I watched it on TV and I have to admit that it was a remarkable moment for me. When John Paul's portrait was unveiled from the balcony accompanied by music and crowd's ovation, my eyes got wet. I saw a big sea of white and red flags waving all over St. Peter's Square, and I was amazed with the amount of Polish people who travelled to Vatican to participate in the beatification mass. I saw flags, banners and pictures with the image of The Holy Father, and I saw smiles and tears of joy on people's faces.  Approximately 1.5 million people from all over the world gathered together to celebrate his life and to be happy for him.
A little bit of Facts:
  • Karol Józef Wojtyła - birth name before he became a Pope and chose the name of John Paul II
  • Born in Wadowice, Poland
  • Lost both parents and siblings at an early age
  • Was enrolled at Jagiellonian University in Kraków closed by German occupation forces after invasion of Poland. Studied philology and had a great talent for languages - he knew twelve languages (!) and used nine of them as Pope. He spoke: Italian, French, German, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Croatian, Latin and native Polish. Impressive, isn't it?
  • 1942 - began studies for the priesthood in the underground seminary
  • 1946 - became a priest and after that, studied theology in Rome, and earned doctorate in sacred theology
  • 1954 - earned second doctorate in philosophy
  • Created poetry and plays, wrote books and articles
  • 1958 - was appointed to the position of Bishop of Kraków
  • 1964 - became an Archbishop
  • 1967 - became a Cardinal
  • 1978 - became a Pope of the Catholic Church - first non-Italian Pope since four centuries - and chose the name John Paul II
  • Karol Wojtyła and later Jan Paweł II was a big athlete, loved soccer and hiking. As Pope he would still exercise - jogging, weight training, mountain hiking were his favorite.
  • 1981 - Mehmet Ali Agca attempted to kill John Paul II and shot him in his stomach when Pope was reaching for a little girl from the crowd in St. Peter's Square (he aimed in Pope's head). John Paul went through a very long surgery and survived. He visited later Turkish gunman in prison and forgave him... Isn't it something big? Until this day, it is a mystery who stands behind that attack. The gunman changed his story over 120 times!!!
  • Pope had great relationship with Catholic Youth and was called "The Pope of Youth". In 1984 established World Youth Day in order to bring all young Catholics together to celebrate the faith. The celebrations brought millions of young people together and each time would take place in different country, including Pope's native Poland.
  • 1992 - John Paul II developed Parkinson's Disease which would progress over years.
  • He was a first Pope to visit White House.
  • Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in June 2004, presented to him by George W. Bush - America's highest civilian honor.
  • John Paul II travelled all over the world and visited 129 countries during his pontificate. He would kiss ground of visited country upon his arrival to express his love and gratitude towards hosting country and mother earth.
  • After his death, crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square would call: "Santo Subito!" which means "Saint immediately!". His successor, Pope Benedict XVI began beatification process for John Paul II skipping five-year rule which says that beatification process can start five years after death.
  • Sister Marie Simone-Pierre, a French nun said that she recovered from Parkinson's Disease after praying to John Paul. Benedict XVI declared that cure miraculous.
  • Beatification Mass took place in St. Peter's Square in Rome on May 1, 2011 and as mentioned before, attracted over a million people.

Here is a song about Pope's home town Wadowice:
"I have a sweet tooth for song and music. This is my Polish sin."
John Paul II

Jan Paweł II will remain in hearts of many people and will be remembered as smiling, often joking Pope, who would sing with the crowd. He will be remembered for his love for world, and for wanting peace on earth. He will be remembered for his strength while he suffered, but never gave up his duties. Blessed John Paul II. (In Polish: Błogosławiony Jan Paweł II )  

One more song showing scenes from Pope's life.
It also shows John Paul II hiking in Polish mountains,
enjoying the beauty of Poland:

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

International Children's Day - June 1st


Own source
   International Children's Day - in Polish "Dzień Dziecka" is celebrated in Poland , Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine since 50's and it falls on June 1st. However, it is also a common holiday in many other countries and it falls on different days during a year. International Children's Day was an initiative of an organization called International Union for Protection of Childhood. Its main goal was to assure safety to all the children in the world. Speeches about children's rights, safety and well being are very popular during this holiday. There are many events for children organized on this day which include concerts, plays and festivals filled with many attractions. Parents buy small gifts and candy for their children, while teachers organize fun day at school, or rather without school, by taking students on field trips, to the movies and buying them ice cream.
   Although, this day is reserved for children only, my mom keeps sending me cards and small gifts till today :) As my mama says, I will remain her child forever. It is one of the sweetest things she does for me and I love being a CHILD="DZIECKO"... :)

"Szczęśliwego Dnia Dziecka!"
 Happy Children's Day to you all !!!

Own source


Sunday, May 8, 2011

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.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

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!

Sunday, May 1, 2011

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.