Using Polish cooking books in an English version?

Does anyone of your non-Polish guys ever tried to to use a Polish cooking book in an English version?
I came across a horrible example - Polish Heritage Cookery by a guy named Roger Strybel. Not only very bad-written but also unworkable

Are there any better examples which actually promote cooking?

I was recommended exlibris-pl.com/ksiazka.htm?id=281 - this one - "Polish Cooking" by Marzena Kasprzycka. It comes highly recommended by a German chef I know.

Unworkable meaning that the recipes simply don't work?

My Mrs bought the aged parent an English language cookery book which is apparently superb, I'll try to ask for details. But for you, why not try a Polish language book?

Rather a combination of bad recipe structure - I wonder whether that Strybel guy even tried the recipes - and the language.
Of course we have at home the classic Polish cooking books. Nasza Kuchnia...
Harry, I think I am talking fluently in Polish, but analysing kitchen recipes is another matter.
The "unworkable" part comes from my wife. She is doing the Polish cooking in our home. She thinks that Strybel guy writes like an idiot

A friend of mine has this book and much as I love cooking, I couldn't get to grips with it at all.
The layout is crap tbh, whatever happened to list of ingredients followed by method? Far too confusing.
It's certainly comprehensive I'll give it that, but terribly written!


Hmm, might have to order myself a copy!

I suppose there are the two genres of cookbook. One that's mostly a list of recipes, and one that you can sit down with and read as a book. My favourite cookbook writer Elizabeth David is somewhere between the two, though no Polish recipes in her books since she disliked Polish food.

The book has only two customer reviews on Amazon.com, both negative:

amazon.com/Polish-Cooking-Traditional-Marzenna-Kasprzycka/dp/1928900615/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377976709&sr=1- 1&keywords=kasprzycka

Unfortunately, the faults of this book apply to most Polish cookbooks. Try Anne Applebaum's new cookbook:

amazon.com/Polish-Country-House-Kitchen-Ultimate/dp/1452110557/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377976266&sr=1-4&keyword s=anne+applebaum

Excellent.

I think using cooking books in any other language as your own is per definition is a challenge. I have a few Nigella Lawson's at home and Jamie as well, but I admit they are more for reading and getting inspiration. That being said and done, that guy Strybel does not have an inkling how to write a proper cooking book which actually works.

Fun though.

I find American recipes to be a bit of a challenge because of measurements given in 'cups'. I've got loads of cups at home and they're all different sizes!

Glasses are quite often used in Polish cake recipes, which threw me a bit until I found out 1 glass is about 250mls.
Many recipes also use decagrams which I found quite strange.

I call it the Communist cup - they seem to be standardised :D


Even stranger is when people order in decagrams :( I can't wrap my head around this at all, it's just impossible to count like that :(

I didn't know they did that!


Agreed! I still can't get used to it!

Flemish cookery books quote in measurements, e.g. 110 ml, 250 g....Whereas they explain somewhere which measurement contains what...for example a teaspoon is so much, a glass is so much....

I find Polish recipes on the whole (and I do like Polish cuisine) very time-consuming, elaborate, and lacking the use of half-products.

First off, you can easily by a set of measuring spoons and cups - they make US-style recipes a piece of cake (groan)

I got a lovely book from Amazon, called Rose Petal Jam which is a lady's recollections of her youth in Poland, what she found when she returned many years later with her husband and of recipes. Not that many recipes, but it's simply a lovely book.

As we're in the country and in a good neighbours sort of thing (one lift into town = 6 eggs, loan the weed whacker = milk for a week) and I'm a better baker than most of the wives, we get savouries in return for sweet. So I just ask them how they made them. Easy!

One Polish Cookbook that I enjoy, might not fit into the catagory you are referring to, in that it is not a translation from a Polish version but originally printed in English is the " Culinary Arts Institute - Polish Cookbook ". Very workable recipes that turn out some very tasty dishes. I wonder what you native Poles think of this books versions of your recipes??

I would also have to agree to some of the other comments on the Strybel book, it is not an easy read or presented in an attractive manner. If experienced in the kitchen though you should be able to follow it.

My husband , head chef in uk was given that book from polish friends. The book was sitting in the shelf for few years until yesterday, when I started reading it.... To be honest , I couldn't be more embarrassed! Not only badly translated but also containing poorly thought through recipes. Is it another bestselling and only money making book? Yes! Would not recommend it at all