My Traveling Joys

Friday, December 20, 2013

Meeting the Authors of 2 Polish Cookbooks You Must Own

12/20/2013 10:00:00 AM by Joy3 comments

Simon stopped the car in the middle of a rural road in Lower Silesia, Poland. His wife, Beata, ran out to nearby garden and returned with a handful of wild pink roses.

“That’s what my childhood smells like to me,” she told her husband as she held open her hands full of crushed rose petals. Those rose petals would be made into a classic Polish preserve of rose petal jam.

Earlier this week, I had a special opportunity to meet Beata Zatorska, a former Polish native, and her British husband, Simon Target, the authors of Rose Petal Jam: Recipes and Stories of a Summer in Poland and Sugared Orange: Recipes and Stories of a Winter in Poland. A third cookbook focusing on Spring in Poland is in the works too. The couple was visiting Warsaw and held a book signing in connection with my local expat women’s group, International Women’s Group of Warsaw, at the Wilanow Wedel Café. I, of course, signed up immediately since I love cookbooks and am trying to learn as much as I can about Polish cooking while we live here.

Polish cookbook author, Beata Zatorska, signing copies of her latest book in Warsaw on December 16.

Zatorska wrote the two seasonal cookbooks based on her childhood memories of her grandmother and other family members in Poland as well as their own recipes. When she was 19 years old, she emigrated to Australia where she later became a family doctor and met her husband, Target. He has written and directed award-winning television documentaries and directed numerous television food shows with Australian chefs. More than 20 years later, Zatorska returned to Poland with her husband for the first time so she could finish her cookbooks and her husband could take the impressive photographs.

The front cover of the latest cookbook - Sugared Orange: Recipes & Stories from a Winter in Poland.

Rose Petal Jam: Recipes & Stories from a Summer in Poland also has been translated in German.

As I look through the cookbooks, I can’t help but be transported to Zatorska’s Poland – a childhood surrounded by loving family members and an abundance of homecooked foods based on the Polish countryside. The cookbooks, part memoir and travelogue, bring to life the food, her memories, the traditions and the seasons.

Summer produce in Poland, as shown by Target during his slideshow presentation.

The best part was being able to Zatorska and Target in person! I immediately saw how much Zatorska still loved her homeland and how her husband had fallen in love with it as well while they traveled around the countryside and returned to cities like Warsaw and Krakow. The cookbooks are lovingly put together with some beautiful photos.

Beata Zatorska, a former Polish native, and her British husband, Simon Target. Authors of two cookbooks featuring Polish cuisine.

I’ve already starting bookmarking the recipes that I would like to make such as makowiec (a traditional, sweet poppy seed roll), apple pancakes, Lidia’s roast chicken and wild mushroom dumplings. I bet you won’t be able to resist these recipes either!

If you have any interest in Polish cooking and the stories behind the food, then you’ll love these cookbooks as much as I am!

Smacznego!

I waited my turn so I could get both of my cookbooks signed by Zatorska.

Exploring Winter Wonderland in London

12/17/2013 07:30:00 AM by Joy15 comments

I can’t believe that just last week we were in London! Time certainly has flown by!

Since this was only my second trip to London and it’s Christmas time, I wanted to make sure I saw some of the Christmas markets. Sadly, I only had time for one market as our flight from Warsaw first was delayed by 2 hours, then canceled and finally rescheduled for 5 hours later in the day. We finally arrived in London around 6 p.m. with just enough time to enjoy a fantastic dinner at NOPI Restaurant (from the creators behind the Jerusalem and Plenty cookbooks.)

One day while my husband was working, I strolled over to Hyde Park to explore the Christmas Market as part of the Winter Wonderland. I was envisioning rustic Christmas stalls filled with handmade goodies not a park full of glitzy carnival rides for children.

Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park in London.

I finally found the Angel’s Market which is home to about 100 wooden stalls selling everything from Christmas decorations to homemade candies to leather wallets and Turkish lamps. (I seem to find a Turkish store wherever I go!) The market is open daily, except Christmas Day, through January 5.

The Winter Wonderland entrance near the Hyde Park Corner tube station.

And you can't leave a Christmas market without buying a Turkish lamp!

Lots of food and drink options at least!

Of course, you'll find several stalls selling mulled wine and hot chocolate too!

You can avoid the carnival ride section by taking the London tube to the Hyde Park Corner exit and following the signs to Winter Wonderland. I discovered that little tidbit after I walked through everything. Oh well!

The market is a little over the top, and I didn’t find as many authentic-looking, handmade Christmas decorations as I had hoped. I did buy two wooden decorations made from Black Forest wood in Germany. Guess next year, we need to visit one of the real Christmas markets in Germany!

I concluded my market visit in London by eating a grilled German bratwurst and drinking a pint of Weiss beer. A Christmas market doesn’t get any more authentic that, right?

Mmm...grilled German brats!

Some tasty looking candies!

There's even an ice skating rink at Hyde Park.

And if you wander off to the side of the market, you'll find a pond with these white geese in Hyde Park.

Brooklyn Bridge by Day and by Night in NYC

12/09/2013 01:00:00 AM by Joy3 comments

The Brooklyn Bridge in NYC is what the Bosphorus Bridge is to Istanbul.

Both bridges stand out as iconic structures that make up the cities’ landscapes. Both bridges also are beautiful at night.

Last week, when I visited NYC, I decided to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn. I realized in all the three years I lived in NY that I never did that. That was about to change.

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Completed in 1883, it connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn across the East River.

I found the easiest way to cross the Brooklyn Bridge by foot is to take the subway to the Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall stop. Easy enough. The pathway leading to the bridge is directly across from the subway stop. Seriously, this couldn’t be more self-explanatory.

With my good camera in hand, I hoped to take some lovely photos of the sun setting over Manhattan. Well, I missed the opportunity by 15 minutes or so as the sky was turning from pretty shades of golden orange to dusk.

Rush hour traffic starting to cross the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan.

Looking back into Manhattan from the Brooklyn Bridge at night.

This is the Manhattan Bridge, completed in 1909, with the Empire State Building lit up at night in the background.

The next morning, my final day in NYC, I decided to return to the Brooklyn Bridge to shoot contrasting photos during the day. I took the 2/3 express train to the Clark Street stopped and walked about 10 minutes to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade along the East River. From here, you have some fantastic views of lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.

One of my favorite photos - the seagull and the Brooklyn Bridge. I also posted this photo on my Instagram feed. Follow me for more photos from my travels!

A water taxi on the East River with the Statue of Liberty in the background.

I think this was only the fifth time I’ve ever set foot in Brooklyn. I certainly had missed out!

If you’ve never walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, I highly recommend doing so the next time you visit NYC. And don’t forget to bring your camera! Enjoy the photos!

Have you ever walked across the Brooklyn Bridge?

Hopefully, you can see this panoramic photo of lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge.

6 Reasons to Visit Krakow for its Christmas Market or Anytime

12/05/2013 01:00:00 AM by Joy10 comments

In the last few weeks, I’ve heard much ado about the Polish Christmas markets held in Krakow and Warsaw.

I cannot wait to experience them firsthand!

We are planning to take a weekend trip down to Krakow later this month to visit the city’s Christmas market, held in the Rynek Glowny (Main Market Square). The market opened this past weekend and will be open daily through December 26. Krakow generally ranks as one of the top 10 European Christmas markets as mentioned in this Mirror UK article and this article by The Guardian.

Though we’ve already visited Krakow twice this summer, I’ve been told Krakow’s Christmas market is simply splendid and offers up dozens of stalls selling traditional Polish cuisine and mulled wine (grzaniec), locally made Christmas decorations and more. You’ll need the hot, spiced wine to stay warm especially since snow is expected to be falling here soon.

A view of Krakow as seen from the Wawel Royal Castle.

If you haven’t visited Poland’s “Little Paris” yet, here are my Top 6 Reasons to do so for its Christmas Market or honestly, anytime of the year.

1. Rynek Glowny (Main Market Square) dates back to the 13^th century, and is surrounded by many historic townhouses, restaurants and churches in its large, open space. This is where you’ll find most of the city’s activity around the clock and its Christmas stalls as well as old-fashioned horse-drawn carriages that will make you feel like you are Cinderella. To top off its magical ambience, you’ll find street performers dressed as a Mary Poppins look-a-like, the Devil himself and other colorful characters.

Take a horse-drawn carriage ride from Krakow's historic Rynek Glowny.

2. The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), also originally built in the 13^th century, is located in the center of Krakow’s square. The hall once was a major center of international trade dealing in textiles lead and salt from the nearby Wieliczka Salt Mine and exports from the east such as spices, silk and leather. Today, the hall houses numerous stalls that sell Polish pottery, amber jewelry, wool slippers and other handicrafts.

Left, Krakow's old Town Hall Tower, and right, the Cloth Hall.

One of the numerous stalls selling Polish pottery and amber jewelry.

3. Wawel Royal Castle (Zamek Królewski Wawel), perched proudly on a hill overlooking the city, is undoubtedly, Krakow’s shining jewel. The castle served as the seat of Poland’s royalty from the mid-11^th to the early 17^th century. The castle ground’s has about 10 exhibits and rooms open to the public, but advance reservations are highly recommended. I’ve only visited the Dragon’s Den and Sandomierska Tower because of the long lines and a limited number of tickets are sold each day. For reservation information, check the Wawel Royal Castle’s website.

The Wawel Royal Castle and its cathedral.

4. Historic Catholic churches, such as St. Mary’s Church and the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, also serve as some of Krakow’s well-known landmarks. It seems like you walk by a pretty, historic church every few blocks here! The St. Mary’s Church is Gothic in design and boasts a highly decorative interior including a 15^th-century wooden, gilded altar.

I honestly liked the Church of Saints Peter and Paul more, mainly because we enjoyed a lovely classical concert here one night. This Baroque church, built between 1597–1619, is adorned by life-size sculptures of the 12 apostles.

Sculptures and an ornate pipe organ at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Krakow.

5. Polish food is hearty fare and so good! In Krakow, you’ll find the always popular pieorgies at restaurants and the modern day Milkbar on Tomasza Street. Also, many of the city’s street vendors seem to sell a Polish version of Turkish simit called obwarzanek, small, crunchy bread rings seasoned with poppy seeds, sesame seeds or salt.

Of course, don’t forget to have a Polish kielbasa or two! We enjoyed ours along the riverfront behind the Wawel Royal Castle as well as a pint of piwo.

6. Jewish history – you can’t come to Krakow and not explore the city’s rich Jewish history as well. In Kazimierz (The Jewish Quarter), named after the Polish King Kazimierz the Great (Casimir III of Poland), you will find several historic synagogues, Jewish cemeteries, a Jewish museum, a market center and a myriad of narrow streets and tenement houses to explore. Following WWII, the old Jewish district fell into ruin, but today it has been revitalized with a Bohemian feel from the small cafes and coffee shops that exist.

We stumbled upon this funky flea market in Kazimierz.

Inside the Jewish Museum in Krakow.

Have you visited Krakow? If so, what did you enjoy most about this historic Polish city?

How to get there

From Warsaw, you’ll find trains running nearly every hour from Warsaw Centralna to Krakow. The ride takes a little over 3 hours, and tickets can be bought in advance online through the PKP Intercity website. You can find one-way second class tickets for as little as 51 PLN ($16.50) per person.

Holiday Chocolate-Mint Cookies

12/01/2013 11:25:00 PM by Joy13 comments

There are several flavor combos that I can’t resist, such as:

Dark chocolate and passion fruit

Caramel and sea salt

Classic chocolate and peanut butter

Peaches and blackberries

Cherries and almonds

But especially during this time of year, I can’t help but fall head over heels for any sweets made with chocolate and mint. I know it’s a classic combination, but it’s one that I wholeheartedly endorse.

Since I’ve been baking a lot lately, I decided to make a Christmas-y version of my normal recipe for Double Chocolate-Almond Cookies. I replaced the chocolate chips with the mint chocolate chips I mentioned in my early November post: Odd Things from America I Bring to Turkey. Then, I replaced the coffee flavor with mint extract, and soon I had that familiar chocolate-mint combination I love.

I know you can’t find mint chocolate chips in Istanbul, but you can still use the normal mini chocolate chips along with an extra teaspoon of mint extract. I buy my mint “essence” as it’s called from my friends at Ucuzcular at the Mısır Çarşısı. This may also be labeled as nane aroması in Turkish.

I ended up making a double batch of these spectacular cookies because I’m making holiday gift bags to give to some of my friends at the pazar, kasap and other local merchants. I want to thank them for the good service they give to this yabancı all year long.

One lucky friend received a dozen of these and only shared ONE with her husband. That’s how good these chocolate-mint cookies are!

If you don’t share these cookies with your friends, you may have to hide them from your husband and/or kids too!

Afiyet olsun!

Holiday Chocolate-Mint Cookies

(Adapted from “The Great Book of Chocolate” by David Lebovitz)

Yields: 5+ dozen small cookies

Ingredients:

8 oz. (250 g.) unsalted butter at room temperature

1 c. (200 g.) granulated sugar

¾ c. (180 g.) brown sugar, firmly packed

2 ea. large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract (or 1 Turkish vanilla sugar sachet)

2 tsp. mint extract

2 c. (280 g.) All-purpose flour (Add an extra ½ cup flour if using Turkish flour.)

2/3 c. (65 g.) unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

¾ c. (100 g.) almonds or substitute your favorite nuts

¾ c. (100 g.) mint chocolate chips

Turkish mint essence is usually sold in small glass bottles like this one, pictured.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F/175 C.

2. Place the butter and sugars into a metal mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer, beat the mixture until light and fluffy, about three to five minutes.

3. Next, add the eggs, vanilla and mint. Mix well.

4. Then, sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt together. Add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, and blend until well combined.

5. Lastly, stir in the nuts and mint chocolate chips.

6. Now, you scoop the cookie dough into small balls (walnut size) and bake them right away. Or you can roll the dough into approximately 2” wide logs, then wrap them in waxed paper and freeze them. It’s up to you. Once the dough is frozen, you can thinly slice the dough and bake the cookies.

7. Bake the cookies on a parchment paper-lined half sheet tray. Bake until the cookies are just flat, about 8 minutes in a convection oven or about 15 minutes in a conventional oven.

8. Transfer the cookies to a cooling back.

Our First American Thanksgiving Since Becoming Expats

11/30/2013 10:31:00 AM by Joy8 comments

Sure the holidays are fun when you’re surrounded by family members, but it’s also utterly exhausting.

I’ve been in the U.S. for 23 days and have a few more days to go – the longest I’ve ever been back since we moved abroad in June 2010. I’m sure you’ve been there…when you travel, you end up sleeping in hotels, beds and couches that just aren’t the same as your own bed back home. I miss our comfortable bed and quiet apartment in Warsaw.

But our first American Thanksgiving since 2009 was a memorable experience. We celebrated this traditional American holiday with 24 members of my husband’s family in Pennsylvania. It’s amazing how my mother-in-law puts the entire meal together for aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc. She likes to do many recipes on her own because that’s the way she’s always done them, so I actually stayed clear of the kitchen for the most part. However, I did contribute by making my cheesy green bean casserole and two desserts.

My homemade cheesy green bean casserole. None of that canned junk for me!

Like most American kitchens, not every dish was completed on schedule. Thanksgiving is always a difficult meal to pull off because most of the traditional dishes are baked in the oven. And you can only have so many dishes in the oven at one time. The turkey needed more time to brown on top and then the dinner rolls still needed to be baked.

But we did pull it off, and our meal was delicious!