Polish Menu Plans

Hi,

Please, I need a menu plan around stuffed cabbage. We are entertaining a Polish father and son, Saturday, Jan. 28. Son is visiting in USA for 2 weeks.

So far, I have greens salald, rye bread, mashed potatoes, and for dessert, fresh fruit, and a kuchen.

Is this menu close to what a person might eat in Poland? Any suggestions are deeply appreciated

Don't you think they would like to try something different? Is there anything that makes you feel that serving your favourite meal would be inappropriate?

If you want to be more Polish, you can also serve a soup - broth, beet soup, tomato soup, black soup (really traditional, but not everyone likes it) - are all commonly served and liked.

Actually, I had a whole other menu planned, but remembered that when we first entertained the father 25 years ago, he was uncomfortable with some of the food choices, and being the very polite people that the Polish are, was uncomfortable telling me this. So I'm trying to play it safe. But thank you for the suggestion.

Patty

Hi Patty,

Hmm - are your guests vegeterians? :) staffed cabbage has some meat, but it may not be enough for men. I'm sure they would like mashed potatoes, salad (greens salad is fine) PLUS pork chops. Yes, a good soup would be recommended too -- maybe hen soup with macaroni -- but make sure you use a HEN (not chicken) to make the soup; US chicken is no good for this.

At worst, I think they would be fine eating a big mac or similar :). If the son is just visiting and first time in the US I suggest not to make big servings as the food will be wasted -- he's most likely not used to big portions like in the US...

Hi all,

Thank you for your responses. I'm okay with my meal plan now. My stuffed cabbage is monsterous, and about 2 of them is plenty! Even though the recipe says to stuff each leaf with 1 T. of mixture, I use 1/4 to 1/2 cup with the big leaves! As for the soups, I think I'll pass this time around. I'm not one of those cooks who is comfortable thowing something together with items that aren't currently part of my family's diet. But one day I will try some of these suggestions...just not for this dinner event.

And Peter, I did ask the father if his son wanted something like American fare--hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill--but I nixed that idea almost as soon as it was out of my mouth! So your big mac idea isn't so far off :)! And, not to worry, I'm not one of these hostesses who insist that people eat all my food; I always let my guests determine their level of indulgence!!!

Thanks again,
Patty

Just curious how the dinner turned out. My mother was Irish and she learned how to really cook from my Polish relatives and an Italian Godmother. We used to make our own homemade Kielbasi-fresh not smoked. She made homemade ravioli and was a great baker. Hope you trusted your own instincts.

"Just curious how the dinner turned out. My mother was Irish and she learned how to really cook from my Polish relatives and an Italian Godmother."

Thanks so much for asking. I trusted my instincts, and everything turned out well. Our friend enjoyed himself, and later told me that he was impressed with how the stuffed cabbage tasted, very Polish, he told me. When his son arrived back in Poland, he called his dad and told him that he remembered 2 things from his visit, one of which was the "party" at our house.

Good food, good company, all went well...again thanks for the suggestions.
Patty

no, not really.

I am polish but to be honest with u would not like ur menu.
I would suggest as follows
to start with sour rye soup with diced sousage and hard boiled egg( very traditional and tasty at the same time) in polish its called zurek

than for main dish u sould prepare something made from cabbage ex. bigos(its hunters stew made half half from sauerkraut and fresh cabbage with sousage and meat of ur choice ) this dish will take time to cook. Or staffed cabbage with meat and rice called golabki in tomato souce , delicious and very traditional again.

We dont really eat desserts , but if u r trying to get them something polish the best idea is to prepare sweet pancakes with cottage cheese raisins and chocolate souce.

trust me they will love it. I am running the restaurant in london and that s our best selling dishes, not only polish are enjoying it....

good luck

NOTE !!! if you catch him licking his plate it mean he's still hungry!!! Give him more until he stop licking the plate! If he NOT lick his plate, he NOT likes your food !

(That's stitched HIM up!)