Folk art inspired

The article about traditions in "Świat Kobiety" magazine.

It all started with my mom sending to me a magazine.
I read about the store that sells Polish folk art and folk art inspired items, and since then I am hooked!
I LOVE decorative items inspired by Polish folk art. I just want them all :)
Few years ago, I wouldn't even care about folk art.
It seemed old fashioned to me, especially when there was a trend for modern, convenient and simple things
(I am a youth fascinated with IKEA style - "simple, put it together").
It is pretty amazing how the items inspired by Polish folk art can be easily implemented to any home decor. I love the ideas!
The website introduces us to Łowicz  folk art that is famous for its colorful costumes (velvet dresses, vests, shirts, belts, hats, purses), but also jewelry, paper cut-outs, dolls, embroidered (hand or machine) pillowcases, throws and tablecloths.
There are lots of items inspired by Łowicz  folk art, such as plates, mugs, t-shirts and even cute socks!
My favorite of all time are pillows with roosters (inspired by paper cut-outs), a clock with paper cut-out design and black & white mugs.
Check out all the colors of the rainbow and tell me how not to fall in love with this stuff ?? :O)
The link:
http://www.sklep.folkstar.pl/

Wstać lewą nogą

Hi.
Today I would like to start a quick and easy series of Polish proverbs and sayings.
My grumpiness the other day made me think of the Polish saying:
"wstać lewą nogą" - get up on the wrong side of the bed :o)
It means literally: "to get up and stomp on the left foot", however as you can see, it has a very similar English idiom.
Most of the idioms can't be translated literally.
I mixed up Polish and English sayings on several occasions already....
Sometimes it creates funny situations, but it's better to know the differences.
Good luck! - Powodzenia!

Pepper cheese and red currant jam crescents. Really.

This is not a mistake :D
I made crescents filled with 3 pepper cheese and red currant jam...

And I enjoyed every bite!
When I was a kid, I loved spreading some jam or honey over a slice of cheese on my sandwich.
And I swear, I wasn't alone in this guilty, you can call it "weird", pleasure.
Some of my friends, cousins and relatives would do the same!
Lately, I was reading about weird flavor combos that people like, and cheese and jam were on the list :) "Too funny!" - I thought. - "Why not to bring memories back?". It's been a while since I had a sandwich like this anyway!

I used a can of Pillsbury crescent dough, filled crescents with a small amount of cheese and jam, and followed the instructions for baking. I dare you to try it! :)

Coconut balls - kokosowe kulki

Own source.

These coconut balls ("kokosowe kulki") are super easy and fun to make! The recipe comes from "Everyday Food - from the kitchens of Martha Stewart Living" (Nov. 2003).

Definitely, one of my favorite recipes!

Own source.

Recipe (makes 30-36 cookies):

2 sticks softened butter,

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar,

2 cups all-purpose flour,

1/4 tsp salt,

2 cups sweetened coconut flakes.

• Mix butter with sugar with electric mixer "until fluffy".
• Add flour and salt until just combined.
• Stir in coconut flakes.
• Preheat oven to 350º F.
• Roll dough into 1-inch balls, place them 2 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Bake for 15-20 min.
• Roll the warm coconut balls in confectioners' sugar and let cool completely.

Smacznego!

Coconut balls can be stored in a cookie jar/can.
They taste the best when cooled.
Own source.

In a mood for some cookies. Kruche ciasteczka.

This one is for all who deserve a title of a Cookie Monster - "Ciasteczkowy Potwór"!

Holidays or not, there is always a good excuse to make a batch of cookies!

My favorite are "kruche ciasteczka" - shortbread cookies.

With milk, tea, coffee... or without! :o)

I choose a cup of hot black tea... I L.O.V.E. my tea!

Typical recipe for shortbread cookies calls for four basic ingredients such as butter, flour, sugar and vanilla.
All my Polish cook books call for egg yolks too, so today I am sharing with you a five-ingredient recipe for shortbread cookies. I guess, a pinch of salt doesn't really count - it's "a pinch" :O)
And one more thing: these cookies are the best in their SIMPLE way.
What you see on my photos is a "holiday" version. Trust me, no toppings are needed :)

Recipe (makes 18-20 cookies):
1 1/2 cup flour,
1/2 cup powdered sugar,
150 g butter or margarine = 1 stick + 4 Tbsp,
2 yolks,
pinch of salt,
vanilla sugar (1 packet=16 g).
*If you wish to give your cookies a different flavor, you can add 1-2 tsp cocoa or 1-2 tsp cinnamon or grinded nuts - choice is yours.
*Make sure to use cold butter and eggs.

• Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl.
• Add small pieces of cold butter and egg yolks. Mix until combined.
• Knead a dough and form a ball. Wrap it in a plastic foil and leave in refrigerator for at least 60 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350º F. 
• Roll out the dough on floured surface (use just a little bit of flour) until 1/4 inch (3 mm) thick and cut cookies with any cookie cutter.
• Place cookies 1 inch apart on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Smacznego!

New Year! Nowy Rok!

Tonight, we all are going to say a happy, and maybe a slurred (oops...) HELLO to New Year 2012!!!

So, I am going to keep it short by wishing everyone and myself an inner happiness throughout 2012!

And what else?

If you wouldn't mind some prosperity in the New Year,

please PUT SOME NEW PANTIES/BOXERS ON!!!

 (or SPEEDOS, if you like)

NO OLD underwear and NO HOLES in it please!

The holes equal poor life, maybe even no money at all....

So, wear some RED UNDERWEAR for good luck in 2012! ;o)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
- Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku!

Paszteciki / pierogi drożdżowe



Pierogi with sauerkraut and mushrooms.
Own source.

Making some mess equals FUN!
Own source.

Who doesn't like pastries?
They make a great grab'n'go snack and they are wonderful sweet or spicy!

Recently, I made some pastries with sauerkraut and mushrooms. I needed typical Polish dish for Christmas Eve and that was it! In Poland, pastries with different spicy fillings are called "paszteciki". They can be filled with sauerkraut/mushrooms, meat, lentils, spinach & feta cheese... whatever sounds good for you.
I shaped my pastries like "pierogi", but they can be also rectangular, square or triangular in shape. The choice is yours.
Please note:
* rectangular, square, triangular pastries are called "paszteciki"
* round, folded in half are called "pierogi"
* made of yeast dough are called "drożdżowe"
* full name: "paszteciki drożdżowe" and "pierogi drożdżowe"

Recipe for paszteciki:

4 cups (250 mL) flour,
7 g instant yeast,
pinch of salt,
1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil,
1 cup warm water.

• Mix dry ingredients first, add oil and warm water, stir in quickly and knead a dough.
• Form a ball, set aside and let rise approximately for an hour.
• Sprinkle the surface with some flour. Roll the dough using a rolling pin until 3 mm thick.
• Cut circles using a cookie cutter or a glass. Put one 1 Tbsp of your favorite filling (or more if you can) in the middle of each circle and fold pierogi into halves connecting the edges.
• Brush pierogi with an egg wash - mix a yolk with 1 Tbsp water.
• Bake at 375° F for 20 min. 

Fillings:

You can find out how to prepare different fillings for "paszteciki/pierogi" here.

I cooked sauerkraut (1 lb) with 1 cup water, added chopped fried onion, mushrooms, 2-3 Tbsp butter, 3 bay leaves, salt and pepper to taste, and some Polish "seasoning for sauerkraut" (don't worry if you don't have the seasoning).

I cooked everything for approximately 2 hours, adding water and allowing it to evaporate. Sauerkraut should be chopped before or after cooking.

*** If you don't have time to make yeast dough, frozen puff pastry can be a great substitute. 

Enjoy!

Smacznego!