Farmer's Cheese Spread or Pasta Twarogowa

My older daughter's first sleepover was at her oldest second cousin's condo in Wroclaw, Poland.  Of course, I spent the night as well so that I could spend more time with my cousin. 

The night started with the two oldest second cousins bathing together and blowing bubbles all over the bathroom at each other and their mothers.  After they were scrubbed and dressed in their pyjamas, the girls snuggled under a blanket together.  They giggled contagiously while first my cousin read "The Three Little Pigs", then I translated word for word as best I could into English.

After two hours past bedtime and hearing constant giggling and listening to them communicate (one completely in Polish, the other completely in English, and yet somehow they understood each other), the girls were separated so that energy would still be had for the funeral of our Dziadek. 

My daughter snuggled with me on my cousins futon in the dark, the sounds of a foreign city around us but having become familiar after a couple of days.  Her little sister was comfortably oblivious inside my growing belly that she was already a world traveler. 

My older daughter kissed my forehead, proclaimed me the best mother ever, and proceeded to share her new life dream to me.  Of one day living in Poland nest door to her second cousins and playing everyday with them in a hushed voice, my own secret dream for her and her yet unborn little sister.  As the little voice whispered on and on about what games they would play, an occasional word would come out in Polish rather than her native English.  Her words came slower and slower... until eventually it was replaced with quiet breathing.

The next morning was filled with the sounds of children playing and squealing in two languages and adults preparing for a day of mourning. 

My cousin made a breakfast I grew up with and always loved for it's simplicity.  Farmer's Cheese Spread or Pasta Twarogowa can be served at parties, for breakfast, or even for a simple vegetarian dinner.  It should always be served with my favorite food, good bread.  On that day, I needed such a dish most.  I wonder, how did she know? 



Ingredients:

1 cup Twarog, Farmer's Cheese, Ricotta Cheese, or even Cottage Cheese if that is what you have
up to 1/2 cup Sour cream or Heavy Cream, if you like
1 stalk of Chive, chopped finely
1 Radish, shredded
pinch of Salt and Pepper

Mix it all together, it's that simple.

Smacznego!

Polish Stuffed Eggs in Shells or Jajka Faszerowane w Skorupkach

This recipe is one of several versions in Polish Cuisine which stuffs eggs.  It's very simple and economical to make.  Also, it makes for a wonderful presentation at parties. 

Since Easter is coming, perhaps this is a dish you would like to add to your Easter table instead of the typical boiled eggs or deviled eggs. 

Once, I brought Polish Stuffed Eggs in Shells, pre-stuffed, and fried at a friend's party.  I received many compliments for it and have since been asked for the recipe many times for at least a year now.  I think I've held those ladies in suspense long enough.

Ingredients:

3 hard boiled Eggs, cooled in running water
1 Tablespoon Butter, Sour Cream, or Mayonnaise
Pinch of Salt and Pepper
Breadcrumbs to dip top into
Butter to fry in

Pinch to a Tablespoon (suit to your personal taste) of any combination of the following*: 
Caramelized Onions, Caramelized Leeks, Chives, Marjoram, Dill, Mustard

Place cooled egg on folded kitchen towel.  With sharp (not serated) knife, give a swift crack along the egg then cut through egg.

Remove eggyolks and mash well with fork in a bowl.  Add all ingredients, except breadcrumbs and butter for frying, mix well.

Remove eggwhite without breaking shell.  Chop the cooked eggwhite very well and mix in with other ingredients.

Clean off any ragged edges as best you can on eggshells.  Stuff with filling. 

Press into breadcrumbs and fry in butter, breadcrumbs side down, until the shell is hot.

Serve immediately with good bread and butter, scooping out of shell to eat.  Do Not Eat Shells.

Smacznego!



* The herbs can be either fresh or dry, whichever you prefer or have on hand.


And because it's Friday, my good blogger friend Mom Photographer lead me to these great link-ups:

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