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Serbian Potato Salad Perfect for Picnics

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:30:50 +0000

Everyone has his favorite picnic salad. I'm partial to Serbian Potato Salad because it's made with vinegar and oil not mayo or sour cream. It goes great with Serbian hamburgers known as "pljeskavica" or Serbian sausages known as "cevapcici."

What's your favorite picnic salad?

© Barbara Rolek licensed to About.com, Inc.

Memorial Day vs. Veterans Day vs. Armed Forces Day

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:25:13 +0000

Girl with Polish and U.S. Flags
© Sweetpea11215 on Flickr.

In the United States, according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, "Memorial Day (the last Monday in May) is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are also remembered, Veterans Day (Nov. 11) is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military -- in wartime or peacetime."

Armed Forces Day, however, is celebrated on the third Saturday in May and it honors active-duty personnel. In Eastern Europe, it's the same story -- different days commemorate those lost in wars, all those who served their country, and military personnel currently serving.

In Poland, Memorial Day is known as zadutszki and it is celebrated on Nov. 1, the same day as All Saints' Day. Besides the remembrance of lost loved ones, Poland remembers all those lost in World War II, from 1939-1945. Graves are adorned with flowers and candles and it's a day of prayer in church. Armed Forces Day is celebrated on Aug. 15, which coincides with the Catholic holiday of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and was created to memorialize the Battle of Warsaw, Aug. 12-25, 1920.

In Bulgaria, The Day of Bravery is commemorated every year on May 6, the feast of St. George, who is the patron saint of the Bulgarian Army. In Croatia, Day of the Croatian Armed Forces is celebrated on May 28. In Hungary, the Day of Patriots and Military is celebrated on May 21, and a commemoration of the 1956 uprising against Soviet rule is observed on Oct. 23.

In Romania, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on Oct. 25. On that date in 1944, the Romanian Army liberated Carei, the last Romanian city under foreign occupation. Memorial Day is celebrated on May 25. In Russia, Defender of the Fatherland Day or Armed Forces Day is celebrated on Feb. 23. In Slovenia, Dan Slovenske Vojske or Day of the Slovenian Army is celebrated on May 15.

Czechs celebrate Armed Forces Day on June 30 and Lithuanians celebrate on Nov. 30. For Serbs, it's Feb. 15.

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Two Cheesecake Recipes for Shavuot

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:00:28 +0000

Here are two new cheesecake recipes just squeaking in before Shavuot ends at sundown on Thursday, May 16, in 2013.

New York-Style Cheesecake
© Barbara Rolek licensed to About.com, Inc.

New York-style cheesecake is becoming all the rage in Eastern Europe now that cream cheese is more readily available. I developed the Polish lemon mousse cheesecake when a friend's birthday rolled around and she wanted something lemony for her celebration dinner.

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Say Cheese for Shavuot

Tue, 14 May 2013 01:12:06 +0000

Shavuot is one of the lesser known Jewish holidays that in 2013 begins at sunset Tuesday, May 14, and ends at sunset Thursday, May 16. Shavuot, or the Feast of the Weeks, celebrates the harvest season in Israel and the anniversary of the giving of the Ten Commandments, and is a good excuse to eat dairy. And here's why.

Cheese Roulade
© Mesorah Publications, Ltd., used with permission.

Try these yummy cheese recipes:

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May 13 Is National Apple Pie Day in the States

Sat, 11 May 2013 08:58:10 +0000

National Apple Pie Day on May 13 is another made-up holiday in the United States. But who needs a day devoted to this iconic American dessert? I certainly don't. Homemade apple pie remains one of my favorite desserts especially when a warm slice is served with Cheddar cheese or a scoop of ice cream.

Polish Szarlotka
© Barbara Rolek licensed to About.com, Inc.

Americans don't hold the copyright on apple pie. Pies had been around well before the colonists arrived on the Mayflower, first starting as a way to encase savory foods. Apples are, by far, the most popular fruit in Eastern Europe for both sweet and savory foods. Apple pie is known as szarlotka in Poland and it is one of the three most-popular desserts in the culinary repertoire, along with cheesecake (sernik) and apple cake (placek z jabłka). Try one of these Eastern European apple recipes and celebrate this versatile fruit.

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2013 Mother's Day Gift Guide

Wed, 08 May 2013 21:40:06 +0000

You know the old saw, "Never buy a woman a household gift for her birthday, Christmas or Mother's Day." Well, most of my readers LOVE new kitchen gadgets and I'm first in line.

Betty Lou's Gluten-Free Nut Butter Balls
© Betty Lou's, used with permission

When I was a child, my father worked for the esteemed Marshall Field's department store in Chicago (now owned by Macy's). Much to my mother's chagrin, he had the dubious honor of bringing home damaged merchandise, including kitchen gadgets. One of them, the Slice-O-Matic I think, nearly took her finger off. But for me, those kitchen doohickeys were like solid gold. I guess I had chef tendencies as young as age 5.

Here are my 2013 Top Picks for Mother's Day Gifts. You might want to bookmark this page for future gift-giving ideas. Have a wonderful day with your mom or the mother figure in your life.

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Sunday, May 5, is Easter for Orthodox Christians

Sat, 04 May 2013 11:57:43 +0000

Ukrainians, Russians, Slovenes, some Slovaks, Carpatho Rusyns and Balkans are largely Orthodox Christians and, so, use the Julian calendar. For them the week leading up to Easter Sunday, the holiest holiday of the year, is known as Holy Week.

Easter Basket Food Symbolism
© Polish American Center, used with permission.

This springtime holiday, that had its origins in pagan rites and was banned during the Communist era, is steeped in religious and food traditions.

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Polish Cloud Torte an Elegant Dessert

Fri, 03 May 2013 07:27:10 +0000

You don't have to be Polish to appreciate the elegance of this Cloud Torte (Chmura Tort) recipe. It is a multilayered dessert featuring a sponge-cake base, caramel filling, crunchy honey-almond filling, sweetened whipped cream, lady fingers, sweetened chocolate whipped cream and a chocolate-curl garnish.

It sounds a little daunting, but if you make the sponge cake one day and the fillings another day, it can be assembled in no time flat. I recommend refrigerating it at least 8 hours before serving, but it's even better if left to set overnight. What a spectacular dessert this would make for Orthodox Easter or Mother's Day.

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May 1 is Labor Day in Eastern Europe

Wed, 01 May 2013 06:20:16 +0000

In Eastern Europe, May Day, or May 1, is a day for general silliness, letting the inner child out, frolicking, giving anonymous May baskets of sweets and flowers, dancing the Maypole and crowning the Queen of the May. At least that's how it used to be.

Today, May 1 is tied into Labor Day or International Workers Day, which celebrates labor unions' achievements, especially in getting the work day reduced to eight hours. Labor Day in the United States is celebrated on the first Monday in September.

When ancient Europe was Christianized, many pagan celebrations were "adjusted." Thus, May 1, which was celebrated as the first day of summer with all sorts of riotousness by the pagans, became Mary's month in the Roman Catholic tradition, when the Blessed Virgin Mary is venerated. School pageants, the crowning of Mary with flowers, and devotions were and still are practiced in some parishes.

My cousin Stan Szczedrzejewski, who lives in Lubiszyn in the western part of Poland near Germany and who loves to cook, is planning a big celebration with his siblings. One of the desserts he's making is his Peach Cheesecake or Sernik Brzoskwiniowy. Why don't you get into the swing of things and celebrate both holidays by making these easy-on-the-labor, summery salads with spring vegetables!

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May 3 Is Polish Constitution Day

Wed, 01 May 2013 06:12:37 +0000

May 3 is Polish Constitution Day, a national holiday in Poland and in Polonia.

May 3 commemorates the ratification in 1791 of the first democratic constitution in Europe and the second, after the United States, in the world.

Marchers in Polish Constitution Day Parade
Flickr by Edyta

It seems fitting that Chicago, an American city boasting the largest population of Poles outside of Warsaw, holds the largest Constitution Day parade outside of Poland. This year's 122nd annual parade, which drew more than 250,000 spectators in years past, kicks off at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 4, proceeding north on South Columbus Drive (from East Balbo Drive) to South Monroe Street.

Coordinated by the Alliance of Polish Clubs, it's a colorful affair and a darn good reason to party. Expect costumed dancers, marching bands, polkas, accordions and all things Polish. If you're hungry, take a short trip to Polish Village on North Milwaukee Avenue between North Belmont and West Central Park avenues for authentic Polish chow like pierogi, kielbasa, paczki, and more.

The Copernicus Center at 5216 W. Lawrence Ave. in Chicago will hold its annual MayFest or Majwóka, an extension of Chicago's celebration of Polish Constitution Day, on Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5. Hours are noon to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 and kids 12 and younger enter free.

Get your Polish on and check the Web for festivals celebrating Polish Constitution Day in your city.

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