Gifts

Gift guide for Polish foodies

November 22, 2018 by polishhousewife Leave a Comment

Hi everyone! Let’s get ready for Cyber Monday or any other gift giving occasion for the Polish cook or baker in your life. From cookbooks, old and new, to Polish folk art decals for your stand mixer, enjoy this gift guide for Polish foodies with ideas at every price point, many at or under $25!

Some links are affiliate, which means if you make a purchase, they send me a few cents.

Pierogi Press – $6.99 for set of 3 I love that you get three because you should have helpers when making pierogi! We’ve used these to cut circles out of the dough and to crimp our pierogi, makes for speedy assembly. Priced to be a popular stocking stuffer.

Folk Art Embossed Rolling Pin – $16.80 If like me, you’ve been disappointed that you didn’t buy one of these when you were in that great souvenir shop in Poland, not to worry, Amazon has us covered. Turn simple butter cookies or pierniczki into works of art.

Folk Art Mixer Decals – $13.99 You won’t want to put a cover over your mixer when it looks so good. Easily add a colorful touch of folk art to your kitchen. The vinyl decals are lightly adhesive and clean up nicely for those times when things explode out of your mixer bowl.

Classic Polish Cookbook – $19.95 This cookbook is the 25th edition of a classic originally published in 1948; it was the first complete collection of Polish cookery in English.

Pierogi Apron – $21.95 Polyester Twill Apron, one size fits most, 29.5″ x 32″. For those special cooking occasions! Sold by Polish Shirt Store.

Modern Polish Cookbook – $25.00 The modern, light twist on Polish recipes, by Ren Behan, is currently on sale, marked down from $30.00. A very popular collection of fabulous recipes and breathtaking color photography.

Decorative measuring spoons – $21.95 Add a special touch and bit of fun to your cooking with this set of decorative measuring spoons, the usual 1/4, 1/2, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon with sayings such as “dash of joy” or “heap of love.”

Polish pottery travel mug – $52.50 Make that morning cup special and portable with a Polish pottery travel mug. Like most Polish pottery this mug is dishwasher, microwave, oven, and freezer safe and comes with a travel top and griper.

Polish Folk Art Paper Napkins – $12.00 Add a Polish touch to any meal with colorful paper napkins sporting this popular rooster motif.

Polish Classic Desserts Cookbook – $19.95 Sweet endings for any Polish feast, from rustic to elegant. Sold by My Polish Heritage.

Happy shopping!

Lois

Balsamic Reduction (Making & Using)

October 28, 2012 by polishhousewife Leave a Comment

We’ve both been enjoying that syrupy, brown drizzle on restaurant plates, a balsamic reduction. This is unusual because Ed is not a fan of the balsamic vinegar I have in the cupboard. To be fair, it’s not a good vinegar, very young. Since we haven’t been putting it on our salads, there was nothing to lose in reducing it. Some things I’ve read say just to cook down the vinegar. Since ours wasn’t high quality, I added some honey and herbs to help the flavor.

It makes an attractive drizzle on the plate or over your food; the flavor is concentrated, so you don’t need much. It’s great with savory things, meats, vegetables, cheeses. It would be perfect with sliced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. I also think it would be an interesting addition to strawberries or fresh pineapple. Even with our not so great vinegar, the finished product is delicious.

This couldn’t be easier to make and wouldn’t the foodies in your life love to relieve this as a gift?

Ingredients

2 cups balsamic vinegar
1 bay leaf
3 – 5 sprigs of fresh thyme
1 tablespoon honey

Directions

Add all ingredients to a pan and bring to a boil
Cook over medium heat until 1/4 of original volume
Strain into a container to remove the herbs (a squeeze bottle would be perfect)
Will keep in the fridge indefinitely

Makes 1/2 cup

Trentadue Chocolate Amore – Dessert Wine

December 3, 2009 by polishhousewife Leave a Comment

Trentadue Chocolate Amore is fantastic! My daughter shared a bottle with my mom and me on a recent visit, and I was determined to have this wine again. I found it online for $20 a bottle (it’s small; only 375 ml) plus shipping. Last week, I came across it at Total Wine for $24.99. They had three bottles and I bought them all. A couple of friends in the office wanted to try it too.

I don’t usually spend so much on a bottle of wine, but this port-styled wine is a treat. It would make a memorable finish for a special meal or a unique hostess gift. One of my colleagues is planning to serve her bottle in little chocolate dessert cups. I understand that it’s a best-seller at Total Wine on Valentine’s Day. Give it a try; let me know what you think.

Cherry La La

August 23, 2009 by polishhousewife 1 Comment

You never know where you’ll find your next cherished recipe. Ed’s buddies, brothers he knew from high school and college, paid us a visit in Arizona one winter, a golf outing for residents of Pennsylvania and Ohio. They were fun house guests, and I would have said that before Mike jotted down his recipe for Cherry La La, a specialty for which he and his wife, Janice, are known. They’ve made it often enough over the years that Mike was able to write the recipe from memory as we sat around the our kitchen one evening. I got the feeling that their family and friends get to enjoy Cherry La La around the holidays every year. This cherry liqueur recipe is perfect for after-dinner sipping, and it makes enough to share with friends, so start saving pretty bottles. You know, maple syrup bottles, fancy vinegar bottles, etc.

When I first mixed up a batch, it smelled by strong and boozy, whiskey and red wine fumes were overpowering. As the days go on, the smell become milder and more mellow. After three days, the flavors have blended and become delicious!

The flavor is very similar to Polish wiśniówka, which is simpler and more natural but takes longer than three days to age. I’ve never had them side-by-side to do a taste test, but just sipping one of these cherry liqueur recipes, I’d be hard pressed to identify which one I was sampling.

Cheers!

Lois