Book: Polska – New Polish Cooking

I call myself a “Storyteller Cook”, because everything I do is to do with cooking and telling stories through the medium of food. I want to inspire the world to cook and eat more Polish food.

I have written a cookbook “Polska” – a love letter to the country where I was born – that has been published in the UK, America, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany and Poland.

A Storyteller Cook

Zuza Zak

“Capturing the spirit of the nation”

The Independent

“The antidote to Brexit”

The Food Programme, BBC Radio 4

Featured Blog Posts

Where to eat in the Baltic States - My Top 10

Where to eat in the Baltic States - My Top 10

This was meant to be “my top 5” list but there are so many great places to eat all over the Baltic States right now that it turned into “my top 10”. This list is sort of in order of favourites…

My Top 3 Polish Christmas Recipes

My Top 3 Polish Christmas Recipes

Christmas is my favourite holiday of the year, and it’s not because I was born just a few days before the big day (and my daughter also) on Winter Solstice. Actually, as far as birthdays go, it’s not ideal. It gets hurried…

Spiced Pumpkin Pierogi

Spiced Pumpkin Pierogi

The time has come to reflect and review… this year has been all about home for me… and so many things in my life to be grateful for – my daughter, my family, my home, my friendships…

Social

CHRISTMAS COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY: If you would like to

CHRISTMAS COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY: If you would like to give a signed copy of Polska as a present to someone (or yourself!), then I have 1 copy to giveaway. Just make sure you’re following and comment below. I will choose a winner at random n the next couple of days. I can send the book anywhere in the world, but can only do it on 8th December, so it’s more likely that it will get there for Xmas if you live in Europe #christmasgiveaway #polskacookbook #cookbookaddict #christmaspresentideas #prezentyświąteczne #cookbookgiveaway #cookbookcorner

VEGGIE GOŁĄBKI: This has been the season of “l

VEGGIE GOŁĄBKI: This has been the season of “little pigeons”. I used to think you have to make these #cabbagerolls in huge quantities, like my mum and gran used to, but this is not the case. Now I make the filling one day and then wrap the next (I usually use the filling for various dishes) and I just do one meals worth. I’ve just put the recipe for mushroom and #kasha #gołąbki wrapped in #springgreens up on the blog, the link is in my bio if you would like that. The last pic is some more traditional gołąbki stuffed with pork in rice. My parents’ friends’ mother made these and they dropped them off for us just before lockdown. She made a huge amount I imagine #recipeontheblog #foodblogs #polishcooking #fallfood #autumnrecipes

BUCKWHEAT PIEROGI: I’ve had #buckwheat #pierogi

BUCKWHEAT PIEROGI: I’ve had #buckwheat #pierogi before, but I’ve never had them sweet! This lovely recipe came from @magdalena__lawniczak grandmother from Lublin. I had a bit of nightmare making them a few days ago and wished I had a group of women to help me (like they used to), but somehow I managed. Then, I froze them (cooking them felt like a step too far at that moment) and cooked them today - first boiled them, then fried in butter and it was all worth it #lunchtoday #polishfood #pierogis #smacznego #kuchniaregionalna

MILLET PORRIDGE: Someone in my daughters class has

MILLET PORRIDGE: Someone in my daughters class has Covid, so we are isolating again. I’ve had to cancel something I really wanted to do. Then, last night, our car was bumped whilst parked too. It all comes at once, but nevermind, #milletporridge will make it all better #millet #porridgeporn #porridgelover #kaszajaglana #brekkietime

LIVE COOKALONG SOON: Whether cooking or not I hope

LIVE COOKALONG SOON: Whether cooking or not I hope you can join @alissatimoshkina and myself at 11.45 for chat in my kitchen while I make lunch. I’m not sure if the bubba will be joining us yet, nap times are all over the place at the moment, but I’m making something super simple just in case. If you want to join, check out my last post for ingredients #livefood #lovetocook #lunchtoday #easylunch #livecooking #foodcommunity

LIVE COOKING SESSION: If you enjoyed the #motherfo

LIVE COOKING SESSION: If you enjoyed the #motherfood podcast then join @alissatimoshkina and myself for a live cook along and early lunch tomorrow at 11.45. If you would like to cook with me then you’ll need some kasza manna - semolina -or fine polenta, then ideally a few mushrooms, some greens (or either of the two) and half an onion. Also, a bit of cheddar cheese and some oil. I am making something like you see here because it’s so quick, easy and delicious and I can even do it with a baby on my arm if needs be! #livecooking #cookalong #cookwithme #cookfromscratch #easylunch #quicklunch

PIEROGI TECHNIQUE: This is great pinching techniqu

PIEROGI TECHNIQUE: This is great pinching technique for when you’re making pierogi with kids. Your child can do the first pinch and you can make sure it doesn’t open with second, frilly one. Today was a hard day, bubba hardly slept but kept acting really sleepy and cried every time I put her down to do something. Finally, daddy has bounced her to sleep, so time for a cuppa. Hope you’re having a lovely Sunday! #pierogi #pierogis #dumplingmaking #dumplinglove #polishfood #candidmotherhood

BUCKWHEAT BLINI: These have become all the rage du

BUCKWHEAT BLINI: These have become all the rage due to being naturally gluten free, but #buckwheat blini are one of the first Slavic foods. Eaten since pagan times, when they are thought to have symbolised the sun. I simplified the recipe from #polskacookbook by using 1/4 self-raising flour to 3/4 #buckwheatflour instead to fresh yeast #buckwheatpancakes #blini #slavicfood #perfectbrunch #naturallyglutenfree