Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Polish Prażonka: A Bon Voyage Post

It's that time of year again - Poppa Trix and I are about to embark on an adventure! Last year, you may recall, we ate our way through Vienna, with a brief detour in Budapest. This year we'll be traveling to  Prague and Krakow, with a short stop in Vienna to see Mother-in-Law-Trix (and to satisfy our craving for heuriger food  and tiny sandwiches ).

For my bon voyage post, I've made a version of a traditional Polish dish, prażonka, which I read about in the course of my trip research, in Old Polish Traditions in the Kitchen and at the Table. In many instances, the book doesn't really give amounts, but rather gives a bit of the dish's history and general guidance as far as ingredients and methodology.

The dish is sort of a Polish version of a hot pot.  According to the book, it was enjoyed by Polish shepherds beginning in the mid 18th century, and is popular with campers and hikers to this day.  Simply line a cast iron or enameled pot (a Dutch oven would be perfect)  with pork fat or lard, and layer onions, bacon, thinly sliced potatoes, and liberal amounts of salt and pepper, repeating until you get to the top. I added a layer of fresh sage, and well as a healthy dusting of smoked paprika on the very top. You cover the whole lot with cabbage leaves (which you're supposed to discard after baking, but I thought they were delicious!), and then cover that with foil, and bake at 350 degrees F until the onions are melting and the potatoes are soft. The book mentions that sausage is a good addition to this dish, but I went with one of my favorite things, a fried egg, expertly prepared by Poppa Trix:
It may not be a traditionally Polish way to enjoy prażonka, but this made for a hearty and satisfying Sunday lunch/brunch. (As well as plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day.)

I am of course looking forward to eating real Polish food in Poland, and you may  rest assured that I will be downing more than my fair share of Pilsner Urquell and choice pig parts in Prague.

But don't worry - I have a few posts in the queue for while I'm gone, so you'll still get your Trix fix. And I look forward to catching up on all of your lovely blogs when I get back in mid April.

Until then ...   Pożegnanie!
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28 comments:

  1. Julie @ Willow Bird BakingMarch 23, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    Bon voyage! Have a wonderful time!

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  2. Belinda @zomppaMarch 23, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    Beautiful dish - especially with that gorgeous, happy egg. Have a wonderful time!

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  3. Mardi MichelsMarch 23, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    Oh I can't wait to read about your trip! I was in both Prague and Krakow (oh and Vienna) in 1992 before there were many tourists in Eastern Europe - can't wait to see how it's changed!

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  4. KellyMarch 23, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    Trixie Girl! Happy Trails to you both. Can't wait to see what you'll post for us!

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  5. Nakiya @ Taste of BaltimoreMarch 23, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    Have a great time!!!! I'm emailing you when you get back because I need restaurant recommendations for when Dan and I go on our trip!!!!!

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  6. Whats Cookin Italian Style CuisineMarch 23, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    Enjoy you will be very missed... have been enjoying your weekly posts as they have been more often and loving it. I so envy you two having this wonderful trip ahead wish I can sneak in the suitcase just to test all these foods and see the many historic views you will encounter... have a ball and take lots of pictures of foods! Safe trip to you both!

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  7. Evelyne CulturEatzMarch 23, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    Oh lucky you, have an awesome trip and enjoy the hearty fabulous food like this lovely dish you prepared for us!

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  8. Ju (The Little Teochew)March 23, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    You deserve a good break, my dear. One pot's always good, esp if it involves spuds and runny yolks. Ahhh, gonna miss you, but you have a fab time & upload (even more fab) pics of yourselves whenever you can, ok? :)

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  9. The Duo DishesMarch 23, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    Have a great trip. You can't have more fun than that, so maybe we won't even try. :) The farewell dish hits the spot!

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  10. MajaMarch 23, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    This is such an intresting recipe ! I love hearing and making food I've never heard of before.

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  11. Deana SidneyMarch 23, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    I am so jealous and can't wait to see what you discover on your trip. I know it will be ripping good fun and delicious to boot. I hear there are underground restaurants in Prague...what fun!

    Good to have a busman's holiday. The potatoes look amazing!

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  12. NORAINI ABDULLAHMarch 23, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    waaa...look so delicious..and your photoghrapy Beautiful ..

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  13. JanisMarch 23, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    Have a safe and wonderful adventure sweetie!

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  14. SwathiMarch 23, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Have a safe trip. this dish looks delicious.

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  15. UnknownMarch 23, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    There's a wonderful sense of history and nostalgia in both Prague and Krakow which I'm sure you'll both love. I know I did. And nothing makes me more nostalgic than this Polish version of hot pot.. it reminds me of the warmth of home whenever I'm in a cold country. Enjoy your journey, Trix and Poppa! Come back safely.

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  16. TastemonialsMarch 23, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    Have a great trip. We loved he food in Poland. Hope you like borscht!

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  17. penny aka jeroxieMarch 23, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    Have fun babe! Waiting to hear all about it :)

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  18. AnonymousMarch 23, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    Hope you'll have fun and lots of yummy food :) Love the recipe you posted so yummy!

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  19. Kate @ Diethood.comMarch 23, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    Bon Voyage! Have a great time!! We're planning to do one of those trips this coming September... first I'll visit my homeland, Macedonia, and then continue up through Vienna and see some of Poland, too. I hope you'll let us in on some of the great restaurants you visited once you get back.

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  20. DrickMarch 23, 2011 at 11:03 PM

    gonna miss you..... tearing up already, but knowing of your ventures brings happiness and so wishing you two a good journey..

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  21. Conor @ Hold the BeefMarch 24, 2011 at 5:45 AM

    Tee hee, I love how you rebelled and ate the cabbage leaves :D

    SAFE AND FUN AND SILLY AND PANT STRETCHINGLY GOOD TRAVELS TO YOU BOTH!! xxx

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  22. kathy goriMarch 24, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    Sounds like a wonderful time is in store for the both of you. Travel safely, eat heartily, (I know you will) and tell us all about it when you return. Can't wait to see tempting pictures and hilarious stories.

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  23. Magic of SpiceMarch 24, 2011 at 2:05 PM

    I hope you have an amazing time...be safe :)
    Great looking dish too!

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  24. Flavia GalassoMarch 24, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    Enjoy during your travel...and next year come to Italy...hugs, Flavia

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  25. StephanieMarch 24, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    Oh goodness gracious -- looks wonderful! Especially with that lusciously radiant egg nestled on top. :-p I've so been craving something tasty like this. Safe travels!

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  26. AnonymousMarch 24, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    I'm looking forward to hearing all about your adventures! And I was just actually going over your posts from Vienna & Budapest trip; we've been doing an extensive family genealogy project and some of our ancestors are from there; from Poland too actually; but we are hosting a wine tasting/genealogy party for the side of the family that's from Austria/Hungary area so I might be making some of those tiny sandwiches you were talking about :)

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  27. Liz That Skinny Chick Can BakeMarch 25, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    Have a fabulous trip! You'll be missed :) (but glad we'll have a few of your posts to keep us from any withdrawals!)

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  28. Trevor Sis BoomMarch 27, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    Trix, it is Sunday morning and I am here, hungover, reading this post and drooling over that picture. Seems like PERFECT hangover food to me! An ex of mine had a polish grandmother who used to feed us all the time. I really miss HER.

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