Herring is one of the most iconic dishes in Polish cuisine. Found on holiday tables, especially during Christmas and Easter, this delicacy reflects Poland’s deep-rooted love for seafood, preserved foods, and bold flavors. Today, we’re sharing a classic yet slightly modernized version of Śledzie w Sosie Musztardowym—Polish Herring in Mustard Sauce. This version incorporates turmeric
Old New Year’s cookies from Kurpie & Mazury These traditional, crunchy cookies come from the Kurpie & Mazury regions of Poland and are baked to around New Year and Three Kings’ Day. They have a distinctive spicy flavor thanks to the addition of pepper and honey. I baked Fafernuchy according to tradition for the New
Pierniczki These Quick Gingerbread Cookies are perfect for when you want to make a festive treat without the wait. The dough requires no chilling time, and the cookies stay soft, making them ideal for decorating or enjoying as they are. They are fragrant, spiced, and perfect for the holiday season. I sometimes add a teaspoon
Kutia – A Sweet Christmas Tradition in Poland Kutia is a beloved Christmas Eve dish rooted in the culinary traditions of eastern Poland, particularly in regions like Podlasie, Lublin, and parts of Lesser Poland. Its origins trace back to the Orthodox and Greek Catholic communities, and the dish is a shared heritage with neighboring countries
Traditional Polish Christmas Eve Mushroom Soup (Zupa Grzybowa Wigilijna) This Polish Christmas Eve Mushroom Soup is a classic dish served during Wigilia, the Christmas Eve dinner. It’s a rich, aromatic soup made from a mix of fresh and dried wild mushrooms, simmered in a flavorful vegetable broth. This version is meatless, making it a perfect
Traditional Polish Long-Maturing Gingerbread – Piernik Staropolski It might seem unusual to start preparing a Christmas cake as early as the beginning of November, but this is no ordinary cake. Piernik Staropolski, or Old Polish Gingerbread, requires 5–6 weeks (or more) to develop its rich, complex flavor. This gingerbread has a deep-rooted history in Polish
The best time to make traditional Kapusta Kiszona – Sauerkraut for the winter is in the fall, but you don’t have to wait that long to enjoy it. You can easily prepare a fresh batch to enjoy right now, packed with the goodness of cabbage, a touch of carrot, and aromatic caraway seeds. Sauerkraut isn’t
I remember my mom used to make Ajerkoniak before many holidays and celebrations. Back in those days, flavored vodkas weren’t readily available, so Homemade Eggnog Ajerkoniak was quite popular. It was one of the alcoholic beverages that women enjoyed at family gatherings. Now that I’m an adult, I consider eggnog one of my favorite flavors
Marcinek Podlaski Cake is a traditional dessert originating from the Podlasie region in Poland. It is made up of many very thin layers of cake, filled with cream between layers. According to my research, in Podlasie, some housewives even prepare Marcinek Podlaski with up to 20 layers of cake! It is a popular and delicious
Chocolate Babka is one of the most classic and beloved pastries in Polish cuisine. Its moist interior and rich cocoa flavor make it perfect for both family celebrations and everyday afternoon treats. In below recipe, I’ll show you how to easily prepare this aromatic Chocolate Babka, step by step, so you can enjoy the taste
Herring in Oil is a really common herring dish in Poland. It is usually prepared with onions, which is a basic recipe. Having said so I need to add, that there might be all kind of additions, you can have. Cooked beets, grated horseradish, garlic, dill, cream, grated apples, all go with herring very well.
Śledź w śmietanie, Pulki ze śledziem Herring in Cream is an easy dish, by many Poles traditionally eaten on Fridays. My Grandma Emilka loved to have herring in cream simply with potatoes and this is how I often serve them. Unfortunately only for myself, my kids and husband don’t care much about herring at all:)
Babka Makowa Poppy Seed Babka is a delicious cake, buttery, with crunchy poppy seed. So much easier to make than Poppy Seed Roll, so if you need a change or don’t have enough time, you should try baking Poppy Seed Babka. There is no need to ground poppy seed- isn’t it a perfect cake? It
Orzechowiec Honey and Walnut Cake is in Poland either called Orzechowiec (walnut cake) or Miodownik (honey cake). The difference is that in Miodownik there can be walnuts but not necessarily. In Orzechowiec there are always both walnuts and honey. It’s delicious cake, often made for Easter and Christmas, it’s a great treat for any occasion
Wigilijny Kompot z Suszu In my family house I am the person, who is responsible for making Dried Fruit Christmas Eve Kompot:) It is a healthy drink that is always on our Wigilia table. It’s made of dried fruits and spices. Actually you can use your favorite dried fruits, but the core are dried apples
Lately, while looking for some new not so popular Polish Christmas Eve traditions and foods, I came across recipe for Christmas Eve Beans. Next day I found this year’s fresh “Jaś” beans on a farmers market and decided to check it out. Recipe is really easy, I tried it and I loved it. Let me
Karp w galarecie Polish jellied carp is very popular in Poland, it is traditionally served on Christmas Eve. My sister loves it, so each year she makes it for us. If you are not so much for carp, you can use another fish you like, it will be just as good:)
Years ago my Grandma Emilka was preparing these yeast pierogi for Christmas Eve, she was using her own recipe – some of this and a handful of that, just like an experienced Polish cook. Nowadays my sister Kasia got over- she recreated recipe and now she is making the best Grandma’s Yeast Pierogi. They are
Makowiec Polish Poppy Seed Roll Makowiec is traditional Polish dessert, in my family we always have it for both: Christmas and Easter. My mum makes it without any recipe and makes 4 rolls each time, I made my best to put her instructions in writing and limit the amounts to make 2 rolls. Makowiec for
Mid November is perfect to think ahead about Christmas. This confirms a fact that in some areas of the world first Christmas decorations are already set! For me it’s to early, but there are some aspects of Christmas that need to be taken care of before. Just like homemade Orange Christmas Liqueur. I make a