A taste of Polish cuisine

We have, of course, eaten before today's post but the last couple of days have highlighted a few elements that are unique to Poland (and perhaps other post-Soviet societies.

We'd heard that a classic "milk bar" was an experience not to miss, so we visited Mokotowska 22 Bar mleczny at lunch time. They post a limited menu in Polish each morning so you can prepare ahead with a translation app to find something suitable. On arrival, you give your order at the counter and they heap your plates with food.




My mother may have found the portion sizes a little much!

This afternoon my mom gamely joined me at a local vegan spot - Vege Miasto - where I had the "Weirdo" and she stuck to a lentil soup that had an unusual (especially for her) blend of cinnamon and shredded coconut. Recommended for vegans in Warsaw!



Afterward, she was rewarded for stepping outside her comfort zone by indulging in another Polish classic - pączki (doughnuts with varied fillings). To ensure the greatest variety to choose from we visited two bakeries.

A. Bickle Cafe offered raspberry-matcha, plum, pistachio and rose pączki alongside a wide array of other desserts.



Dobra Pączkarnia focuses entirely on pączki with a wide array of flavours, offering everything from classics like strawberry or sour cherry to more adventurous options like Kinder Bueno.

Like a kid in a candy shop, Mom narrowed it down to two treats - plum and raspberry.




After a couple hours rest (and tea with paczki!) we made our way to Pierogi & More for an evening cooking class.


 We mixed and rolled the dough, cutting circles and making pillowy dumplings with a variety of fillings. 


Our instructor showed us a few decorative finishes, from the basic pinch-with-a-fork to scalloped and a braided look.

 And dinosaurs!



We learned the best way to cook the dumplings, with a few key tips:

1. Keep the water at a rolling boil.
2. Boil pierogi before freezing them.
3. If you prefer fried pierogi, boil them the day before.


We then joined our classmates at a communal table and dug in. Following our feast we sampled pear and cherry vodka.



Tomorrow - already! - is our last day, and we plan to visit Praga on the other side of the Vistula which promises to be a funky neighbourhood with more original pre-war buildings still standing.


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