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12:08 pm
Over the last few years millions of Poles have been working over here and as a result Polish delis have sprung up in many areas and most supermarkets now have a Polish section.
Have any members been influenced by this and started using any Polish ingredients or recipes?
We buy Sopocka which I believe is cured pork loin
We also make Bigos which we leaned from a Polish friend several years ago - essentially its a meat and cabbage stew with other bits and pieces thrown in and cooked for a long time. Like a good curry it's better when re-heated the next day. We make a bastardized English version without the saurkraut just loads of white cabbage ( plenty on the plot right now ) and a savoy or january king added nearer the end to remain green.
Have one on the stove right now which inspired me to write this and made me wonder how many influences we have taken on board in this country
12:55 pm
Sat 12-Aug-06
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That's interesting. I was just looking at the vast polish section at Tesco (Bar Hill) the other day. The problem is that I couldn't understand the polish on the packs!
While I was in the shop I bought a lot of Indian ingredients that we can't get in our town. All the other people in this section were Indian so I reckoned that the ingredients must be good - all Indian imports - none of your Sharwoods.
That Polish recipe using cabbage sounds good. Could I possibly have the recipe?
10:00 am
Sat 12-Aug-06
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I saw a new Polish restaurant being prepared for opening here in Newmarket recently. We must make a visit this weekend.
I have never tasted Polish cuisine.
Lovage (or anybody familiar with things Polish), if you were introducing a novice to the Polish menu, what would you advise to try, and what to avoid for the UK palate?
Never knowingly underfed
7:55 pm
Sat 12-Aug-06
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I drove past the on that street again this evening to check that the Polish restaurant had opened.
Wrong. It is a shop/store, not a restaurant. I guess that makes more sense in this town. I must wander in on Saturday and browse around. I would still welcome any Polish food pointers, of the tinned and vac-packed variety.
Never knowingly underfed
3:47 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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We have a fair few Polish shops here but the one time I ventured, I wasn't able to ask the relevant questions as the lady behnd the counter didn't speak English and my Polish is non-existent.
I'll try that again!
12:56 pm
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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Don't you know the point method Toffeeapple? Only problem we found when not speaking a language is having to purchase a kilogramme of anything because we didn't know the word for half or 500.
1:25 pm
Sat 12-Aug-06
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It can be awkward even when you speak a smattering of a language. The Italians have a lovely word for 100 grams - un etto.
I am always safe with that! Once, sitting on a beach, we heard a young American girl ask in Italian at the bar counter for four litres of orange juice. Luckily, the barkeep was a seasoned caterer to tourist hordes and handed her the quarter litre she really wanted. I still admire people who try in the local lingo.
Never knowingly underfed
4:53 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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JoannaS, pointing doesn't get the answer to the question - what is that and how do you cook it!
I like your Italian story Danny.
I'll try that again!
7:18 pm
''I would still welcome any Polish food pointers, of the tinned and vac-packed variety.''
Best buys from Polish Delis would be pork products many of which are available vac packed
- Sopocka cured pork loin, leaner and cheaper than most hams
- Kielbasa sausages of various types, sometimes smoked or spiced. Useful in bean dishes, casseroles ( including Bigos ) and soups
You can also get gerkins, saurkraut and jars of fruit like Blueberries fairly cheap
Polish breads can also be good - more like real bread than most of our mas produced stuff
Give it a go and report back!
7:47 pm
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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Toffee apple you actually want to know what it is? Oh my! :oD I guess my "take a guess at what it is, experiment and hope no one turns up unexpectedly and want feeding in case it is something inedible" approach won't wash then.
3:40 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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Point taken Joanna, I'll be brave the next time I go.
I'll try that again!
7:43 pm
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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9:54 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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I will.
I'll try that again!
10:34 pm
Sat 12-Aug-06
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Oh tosh, Joanna and Toffeeapple 
Just go and do it, TA. You are forthwith appointed as our investigative journalist. Please go forth and brave the terrors of your chosen Polish store.
i don't normally read the Red Tops but I cannot recall a headline anywhere, ever, that said "Pole Munches a Toffeeapple To Death"
Then again, there is always a first time
Never knowingly underfed
5:26 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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Listen, I'm fresh from a trip to the new Asian Supermarket! That was a great experience. I'm used to little shops that spill out on to the pavement where you have to rootle for things but this one is wonderful all things clearly labelled, fresh (I mean FRESH) fruit and veg, Halal meat counter, sacks of rice and huge tubs of Ghee. I had a great time in there and it's only a few minutes away from home.
But I will do the decent Polish thing soon, I promise!
I'll try that again!
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