Hola amigos! Woke up to more snow in the city…huge flakes were falling all afternoon but they’ve stopped now. It was so peaceful this morning though! Such a cozy day at home, got back pretty late from the dinner last night so sleeping in felt goooood. I don’t get to do that too often! We’ve got some guests coming for dinner a little later tonight so that means more awesome Polish holiday food (sooo many leftovers…my mom always makes a ton). I need to learn all these old family recipes one of these years… Anyway, here’s photos from the Christmas Eve feast, Wigilia. Traditionally you’re supposed to start eating when you see the first star in the sky but we always eat later…never ready by then haha. Before digging in everyone exchanges wishes with each other for the New Year while breaking off and eating some wafer called “oplatek” with each wish. We start the dinner with fresh spring salmon in aspic and horseradish spread. Such an old school dish, but then fish is soooo fresh and delicious. Next is red borszcz with wild mushroom dumplings followed by a white mushroom soup with taters. After the soups come breaded halibut with sauerkraut followed by mushroom and barley filled cabbage rolls and wild mushroom sauce with a side of cooked cabbage/bean/mushroom. The final dish is homemade perogies, duh! There’s potato and cheese, cabbage and mushroom, and some sweet plum ones (so delicious). Oh! There’s also a berry/plum/apricot juice called “kompot”…super rich and tasty, almost like a fruit iced tea. Needless to say I was full after dinner haha. My mom only makes these dishes once a year so it’s extra special to eat these family recipes, a lot of work goes into it. Some of the dishes come form my mom’s side of the family while others are from my dad’s because they are both from different parts of Poland. A cool mix! All in all ’tis a mucho special night that I love being a part of each year. Happy holidays babeskillets…we’re still celebrating, Tita xx
