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

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.

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

PLACKI: You could have all kinds of toppings, in m

PLACKI: You could have all kinds of toppings, in my cookbook I suggest a creamy wild mushroom sauce, but my all time favourite #placki topping is the simplest: soured cream/ yoghurt and cranberry sauce #sosimplesogood

SWEET POTATO KOPYTKA: In trying times, comfort foo

SWEET POTATO KOPYTKA: In trying times, comfort food is the answer. That doesn’t mean junk food, which is just a momentary comfort. To me comfort food feeds the soul and makes me feel warm and cosy inside, like these sweet potato #kopytka. With fried onion and bacon bits. The recipe is from #polskacookbook but more flour is needed with sweet potatoes, just keep working it in until the dough becomes sort of manageable. It should still be a bit sticky, as we want them to be soft and squidgy when cooked - I’ll put the original recipe in my stories #recipeoftheweek

WOMEN SUPPORT WOMEN: I was going to have a little

WOMEN SUPPORT WOMEN: I was going to have a little break from Instagram as I have a lot on my plate and feel a bit heavy hearted. Our family dog needs to be put down. We haven’t had her for that long as she’s a stray and had many homes, but she has touched our hearts, as dogs tend to. This is us today. However, I believe in this, so thank you for the #womensupportwomen nominations @agamak77 and @bozena_zabicka . I find the whole community here incredibly supportive but when I think of “support” these women come to mind first (for various reasons) so I nominate: @magdapalkus @zaffrinosullivan @rubytuesday005 @thelittleplantation and @oliahercules . Also a special shout out to @alissatimoshkina who is always supportive of other women (listen to #MotherFood podcast if you haven’t already!) but has already posted her pic. Important note: These black and white pics are highlighting the fight against domestic abuse in Turkey

LITTLE PIGEONS: I have no idea why stuffed cabbage

LITTLE PIGEONS: I have no idea why stuffed cabbage rolls are called “little pigeons” in Polish, but my guess is that when they are bubbling all close to one another it’s like pigeons huddling together for warmth. It’s one of my favourite dishes anyhow, especially when my mum cooks it. I’ll admit the lamb and cinnamon version in #polskacookbook is rather good too though! #polishfood #gołąbki

BRITISH SUMMER: Are you staying or going? We are d

BRITISH SUMMER: Are you staying or going? We are definitely staying. It may not be sunny every day and we don’t spend balmy evenings in tavernas (miss that so much), but summer in Britain has some advantages: hot days feel special so we make the most of them, there’s always a pleasant breeze and it’s never so hot that you can’t sleep. Also no mossie bites or sunburn #silverlining #cambersands #Delfinarocksballet

SUMMER SALAD: Some days all you want is a simple s

SUMMER SALAD: Some days all you want is a simple salad: radishes, cucumber and spring onion with dill , soured cream and yoghurt (seasoned liberally with salt and pepper and a tiny bit of sugar). I must admit that I wolfed this down! #summersalads

ROMANIAN FOOD: The growing interest in food from E

ROMANIAN FOOD: The growing interest in food from Eastern Europe makes me so happy. Currently, I’m exploring Romanian food via @irina.r.georgescu #carpathia cookbook. Being East European, the cuisine feels familiar yet different. These cheesy flatbreads are called #scovergi. I accidentally used the wrong flour (light rye instead of plain), which accounts for the darker hue. Still delicious though, eaten with a pepper #piperchi and #garliccapers @oliahercules #summerkitchens (from @reallygarlicky )#easteuropeanfood

HERRINGS: Not really a recipe - just herrings, oil

HERRINGS: Not really a recipe - just herrings, oil, finely chopped onion, a pinch of cinnamon - yet it couldn’t be left out of #polskacookbook because we eat it so often! It’s the perfect zakąska, whether you are drinking vodka or not #snacktime