Second Annual Polish Dinner

I grew up in the Chicago area with Polish grandparents. We were fortunate growing up to have my mother's parents, Grandma and Grandpa Bodzewski, close by. I have countless memories of them... For awhile, they would come over once per week and watch me and my brother Evan while my mom did errands. Everyone would come together at their home for Christmas Day. There were even special nights when Evan and I got to stay overnight. I remember sitting with my grandmother and asking her to tell me stories. Stories about my mom when she was growing up and stories about me when I was too young to remember. I also asked my grandmother to tell me about times when she and my grandfather were young. Unfortunately I don't remember many of the stories, but I do remember hearing about fancy evenings out with the other polish couples... balls, galas, special events. Chicago is known for having a large polish immigrant population.

Grandma and Grandpa: Helen and Ludwig Bodzewski

Now that the years have gone by and my grandparents have gone on to heaven, I have been thinking about how to hold on to my memories and create new ones with family and friends. Even though I can't remember all the stories, I can remember the food. We used to eat barshch (beet soup), pierogis, polish sausage, sauerkraut... Last year Jim and I hosted our first Polish Dinner. It was so much fun, we decided to make it an annual event. Here is the menu I came up with:

• Barshch
• Pierogi: Blueberry-Apple and Potato
• Golabki (stuffed cabbage leaves)
• Kidney Bean Salad
• Drambuie Liqueure Ice Cream

I created the menu and made everything but the ice cream. I requested Drambuie because it was a favorite of my grandfather's. Jim did a great job finding a recipe for the ice cream. My biggest mistake last year was underestimating how much time it would take to make all the food, so made everything over the week prior to the dinner. It made a big difference and I was able to relax the day of the dinner and enjoy the meal and company. Here are some pictures.



These napkins were my first sewing project. I chose the variety of colors because we have fiestaware place settings in every color. We enjoyed the very first use of these napkins at the dinner.


The table was set and decorated with candles. We used every single chair in the apartment. Including two folding chairs that made an appearance from the garage.

Barshch or Beet Soup
Pierogi!
Cooking in the kitchen. The golabki are in the two pots on the stove. Cooking offered the opportunity to be nostialgic. My mom helped me out long distance over the phone.

The dinner was a success. I'm thinking the challenge next year will be polish pastries...