10 Simple Polish Recipes Perfect for Beginner Cooks

Polish cuisine is known for its hearty flavors and comforting dishes. Even if you’re a beginner in the kitchen, you can create these delicious meals with ease. With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, these recipes will have you cooking like a pro in no time. Get ready to enjoy a taste of Poland right at home.

Pierogi

Pierogi are a classic Polish dish, and they’re surprisingly easy to make. For the dough, you’ll need 2 cups of flour, 1 egg, 1/2 cup of sour cream, and a pinch of salt. For the filling, use 2 cups of mashed potatoes and 1 cup of grated cheese. To make pierogi, mix the flour, egg, sour cream, and salt to form a dough. Roll it out and cut into circles. Place a spoonful of filling on each circle, fold over, and seal the edges. Boil the pierogi in salted water until they float, then fry in butter until golden. Serve with sour cream or caramelized onions.

Bigos (Hunter’s Stew)

Bigos is a traditional Polish stew that’s hearty and flavorful. You’ll need 1 pound of sauerkraut, 1 pound of fresh cabbage, 1 pound of mixed meats (such as pork, beef, or sausage), 2 onions, 2 cloves of garlic, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, and spices like bay leaves, peppercorns, and marjoram. To make Bigos, chop the cabbage and meats into bite-sized pieces. In a large pot, sauté the onions and garlic, then add the meats and cook until browned. Add the cabbage, sauerkraut, tomato paste, and spices. Simmer on low heat for several hours, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld together.

Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

This dish combines Polish sausage (kielbasa) with tangy sauerkraut for a simple yet satisfying meal. You’ll need 1 pound of kielbasa, 1 can of sauerkraut, 1 onion, 1 apple, and some caraway seeds. To prepare, slice the kielbasa and chop the onion and apple. In a large skillet, cook the onion until soft, then add the kielbasa and brown it slightly. Add the sauerkraut, apple, and caraway seeds. Cook on medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve hot as a main dish or alongside potatoes.

Placki Ziemniaczane (Potato Pancakes)

Potato pancakes are a beloved Polish comfort food. You’ll need 4 large potatoes, 1 onion, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup of flour, salt, and pepper. Grate the potatoes and onion, then squeeze out any excess moisture. In a bowl, mix the grated potatoes and onion with the eggs, flour, salt, and pepper. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the hot oil and flatten into pancakes. Fry until golden brown on both sides. Serve with sour cream or applesauce.

Barszcz (Borscht)

Barszcz, or borscht, is a vibrant beet soup that’s both healthy and tasty. You’ll need 4 medium beets, 1 onion, 2 cloves of garlic, 4 cups of vegetable broth, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, salt, and pepper. Peel and chop the beets, then sauté the onion and garlic in a pot until soft. Add the beets and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the beets are tender. Blend the soup until smooth, then add vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste. Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

Gołąbki (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)

Gołąbki are cabbage leaves stuffed with a mixture of rice, meat, and spices. You’ll need 1 head of cabbage, 1 pound of ground meat (beef or pork), 1 cup of cooked rice, 1 onion, 1 egg, 1 can of tomato sauce, and spices like salt, pepper, and paprika. Boil the cabbage leaves until soft, then mix the ground meat, rice, chopped onion, egg, and spices in a bowl. Place a spoonful of the filling on each cabbage leaf and roll up, tucking in the sides. Place the rolls in a baking dish, cover with tomato sauce, and bake at 350°F for 1 hour.

Naleśniki (Polish Crepes)

Naleśniki are thin, Polish-style crepes that can be filled with sweet or savory fillings. You’ll need 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of milk, 2 eggs, a pinch of salt, and 1 tablespoon of butter. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, eggs, and salt until smooth. Heat a non-stick skillet and melt a bit of butter. Pour a small amount of batter into the skillet and swirl to coat the bottom. Cook until the edges lift slightly, then flip and cook the other side. Fill with cheese, jam, or meat and roll up.

Kapusta Zasmażana (Fried Cabbage)

This simple side dish features cabbage fried with onions and bacon. You’ll need 1 head of cabbage, 1 onion, 4 slices of bacon, salt, and pepper. Chop the cabbage and onion, and cut the bacon into small pieces. In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crisp, then remove and set aside. In the same skillet, cook the onion until soft, then add the cabbage. Cook until the cabbage is tender, then stir in the bacon. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve as a side dish to any main meal.

Żurek (Sour Rye Soup)

Żurek is a unique Polish soup made with fermented rye flour, giving it a distinct sour flavor. You’ll need 4 cups of water, 1 cup of rye flour, 1 sausage, 2 potatoes, 1 onion, 2 cloves of garlic, salt, and pepper. In a bowl, mix the rye flour with water and let it ferment for a few days. In a pot, cook the sausage, potatoes, onion, and garlic in water until tender. Add the fermented rye mixture and simmer for 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with hard-boiled eggs.

Piernik (Polish Gingerbread)

Piernik is a traditional Polish gingerbread that’s rich with spices and honey. You’ll need 2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of cloves, 1/2 cup of honey, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1 egg, and 1/2 cup of milk. In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients. In another bowl, beat the egg with sugar, then add honey and milk. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, then pour into a greased baking pan. Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes. Let it cool before slicing.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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