Polish Cooking – Zuza Zak https://zuzazak.com/ Author of bestselling cookbooks shares recipes and stories Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:59:19 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 Super quick fermented beet summer soup – Chłodnik https://zuzazak.com/2026/07/super-quick-fermented-beet-summer-soup-chlodnik/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=super-quick-fermented-beet-summer-soup-chlodnik Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:39:00 +0000 https://zuzazak.com/?p=3293 The best soup for hot days Chłodnik is a cold soup we eat in all the East European countries during the summertime, as it’s the most refreshing of soups. Both the fermented beetroot juice (kvass) and the kefir are full of probiotics. The sour kick...

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]]> Summer veggies with kefir and crispy sweet potato https://zuzazak.com/2026/06/summer-veggies-kefir-and-crispy-sweet-potato/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=summer-veggies-kefir-and-crispy-sweet-potato Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:35:18 +0000 https://zuzazak.com/?p=3282 It’s been hot here in the UK and when it’s hot, I crave kefir. My mind immediately goes to childhood memories of fresh milk going sour on my Babcia’s hot windowsill. We don’t do that ritual anymore, but kefir hits that sour, dairy taste spot....

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]]> Kohlrabi slaw for a Midsummer night’s meal https://zuzazak.com/2026/06/kohlrabi-slaw-for-a-midsummer-nights-meal/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kohlrabi-slaw-for-a-midsummer-nights-meal Sun, 21 Jun 2026 21:03:13 +0000 https://zuzazak.com/?p=3268 Slaws slaws slaws As a Pole, I feel somewhat of an expert in slaws. On average, I make them twice weekly. This kohlrabi slaw is light and slightly sweet with a refreshing tang from the salty kefir dressing. Perfect for sticking on top of blackened...

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]]> Pre and probiotic Polish placki https://zuzazak.com/2026/06/pre-and-probiotic-polish-placki/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pre-and-probiotic-polish-placki Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:35:59 +0000 https://zuzazak.com/?p=3244 Traditional Polish dinner, but more gutsy I grew up on “placki” (or “latke” as they are otherwise known here). My mama often made savoury ones for dinner, which these are based on. I must admit those were my favourite dinners. You would start off eating...

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]]> Introducing: The Gutsy Kids Cookbook https://zuzazak.com/2026/06/introducing-the-gutsy-kids-cookbook/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=introducing-the-gutsy-kids-cookbook Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:51:49 +0000 https://zuzazak.com/?p=3215 The new cookbook journey… In less than two weeks, I will be launching my fifth cookbook, The Gutsy Kids Cookbook, and what a journey it has been! As the title might suggest, this book celebrates healthy guts and gutsy kids. The recipes and stories it...

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]]> Strawberry water kefir for hot days https://zuzazak.com/2026/05/strawberry-water-kefir-for-hot-days/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=strawberry-water-kefir-for-hot-days Sun, 31 May 2026 12:55:01 +0000 https://zuzazak.com/?p=3194 Fermented drink of choice Fermented drinks are by far the most refreshing on hot days. Being Polish, I have always loved rye bread kwas, kefir and buttermilk, but I have a new summer favourite, and that’s water kefir. When my Babcia was still alive, she...

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]]> Layered Spring ferment with Spring Green and mint https://zuzazak.com/2026/05/a-fermented-slaw-for-spring/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-fermented-slaw-for-spring Mon, 11 May 2026 20:34:19 +0000 https://zuzazak.com/?p=3182 Fermented slaw This refreshing spring ferment was made for two reasons. Firstly, I’m scrambling to finish off a project at the moment, while everyone around me coughs and sneezes. I need simple food that will support my immune system, so that I don’t get ill....

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]]> What to buy from the Polish shop and what to do with it, part 4 https://zuzazak.com/2026/05/what-to-buy-from-the-polish-shop-and-what-to-do-with-it-part-4/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-to-buy-from-the-polish-shop-and-what-to-do-with-it-part-4 Tue, 05 May 2026 19:54:10 +0000 https://zuzazak.com/?p=3150 Back to the Polish shop I’ve quite a long break from the Polish shop series, focussing on sending you a recipe every week instead. Yet, when I went to the Polish shop the other I noticed quite a few things I hadn’t mention in part...

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]]> Dandelion babka for Spring https://zuzazak.com/2026/04/dandelion-babka-for-spring/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dandelion-babka-for-spring Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:52:59 +0000 https://zuzazak.com/?p=3154 An old babka recipe reinvented I was going to do a completely different post this week, but then we made this dandelion babka. I just had to share it with you now, while the dandelions are perfect. Once they start turning into fluffy balls it’s...

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]]> Walnut bear paw cakes https://zuzazak.com/2026/04/walnut-bear-paw-cakes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=walnut-bear-paw-cakes Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:24:45 +0000 https://zuzazak.com/?p=3133 A Slavic Kitchen staple I discovered the recipe for these walnut “bear paw” cakes when writing my latest book, Slavic Kitchen Alchemy, and they have become a staple in our family. I feel like I have eaten them in my childhood, but I can’t remember...

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