Who remembers parties from the times of the Polish People’s Republiche knows that the New Year’s Eve table was the center of events – there was a music adapter next to it salads, galettes and never-ending corks. It smelled of mushrooms, pickled cucumbers and herrings. Those were the times when food was made from whatever we could findand yet everyone tried to make the New Year’s Eve dinner special. And it was in this simplicity that the charm of the events of that time lay. Worth replaying the best salads and snacks.
Of course, it reigned supreme on the New Year’s Eve table in the Polish People’s Republic vegetable salad. To this day, it’s hard to imagine celebrating the end of the year without it. However, since everyone knows it, it is worth remembering three other, also iconic, although less popular salads from those times. They were made from products available in every home – pickled mushrooms, leek, potatoes, peas and herrings. Despite their simplicity, they managed to win hearts and were perfect as snacks for New Year’s Eve toasts. Here are the recipes that will take you to that kitchen.
1) Mushroom salad from the Polish People’s Republic
Simple, full-bodied and with a characteristic sour aftertaste. This is a classic of home parties.
Ingredients:
- 200 g marinated mushrooms,
- 3 potatoes, cooked in their jackets,
- 3 eggs,
- a can of canned peas,
- 3 pickled cucumbers,
- 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise,
- a teaspoon of mustard,
- salt and pepper to taste.
How to do it:
1. Cut all ingredients into cubes, drain the peas.
2. Mix mayonnaise and mustard in a bowl.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. It tastes best chilled in the refrigerator before serving.
2) Leek salad
Light, expressive and crunchy – the perfect balance for heavier classics.
Ingredients:
- large leek (white part),
- 3 eggs,
- 4 small pickled cucumbers,
- can of corn,
- a can of canned peas (optional),
- 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise,
- a tablespoon of cream or natural yogurt,
- salt and pepper.
How to do it:
1. Cut the leek in half, wash it thoroughly and cut into thin half-slices. Scald them with boiling water. Place the drained and cooled mixture in a bowl.
2. Hard-boil the eggs, then cut them into cubes when they cool down and put them in a dish. Also cut the cucumbers into small cubes and add them to the remaining ingredients.
3. Add drained corn and peas, mayonnaise, sour cream or yogurt, season with salt and pepper and mix gently until the products are combined.
4. Chill in the refrigerator before serving.
3) Herring under the blanket (szuba)
A colorful hit of the 80s, often appearing on the family table. Today, in some regions of Poland, it is served for Christmas.
Ingredients:
- 4 herring slices,
- 3 potatoes,
- 2 carrots,
- 2 beets,
- onion,
- mayonnaise.
How to do it:
1. Boil the potatoes, carrots and beets until soft. Grate them all on a coarse grater.
2. Cut the herring into cubes and chop the onion finely.
3. Arrange the ingredients in layers – herring at the very bottom, then potatoes, onion, carrots and beets. Separate each layer with a thin layer of mayonnaise.
4. Chill in the refrigerator for a few hours.
In the years of the Polish People’s Republic, snacks were simple, but also obligatory – herrings, Szczecin paprikash, a plate of koreczki, which disappeared from the table the fastest. It was a menu created for snacking between dancing and parties, perfect for long nights during home balls and private parties. Today, these snacks can be easily recreated by preparation New Year’s Eve table in retro style.
1) Eggs in mayonnaise
A simple appetizer, served in milk bars. In the times of the Polish People’s Republic, they could not be missing at any party. They were simply hard-boiled eggs decorated with mayonnaise or mayonnaise sauce. We suggest mixing mayonnaise with egg yolks to create even more filling stuffed eggs.
Ingredients:
- 6 eggs,
- 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise,
- a teaspoon of mustard,
- fresh dill,
- salt and pepper to taste.
How to do it:
1. Hard boil the eggs. Carefully cut the cooled pieces in half.
2. Remove the yolks and mash them in a bowl. Mix with mayonnaise and mustard. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Fill the cavities left by the yolks in the egg whites with the stuffing.
4. Chop fresh dill and decorate the eggs with it.
5. Chill before serving.
2) Cold feet
It is nothing more than meat jelly, made from poultry, pork or beef legs and vegetables. The snack was served cold, which is where its name comes from. An absolute classic snack from the Polish People’s Republic, which is perfect for a party. Although their preparation requires some patience, they will certainly become the star of the party.
Ingredients:
- 2 pork legs,
- 6-8 chicken legs,
- 2 onions,
- 4 cloves of garlic,
- carrot,
- 3 bay leaves,
- 8 grains of allspice,
- a tablespoon of salt,
- black pepper to taste.
How to do it:
1. Soak the pork legs in cold water (for at least an hour). Clean the legs, rinse and soak again in clean water for an hour. Strain the water.
2. Wash the chicken legs thoroughly.
3. Place both types of meat in a pot. Pour water so that it protrudes above the level of the meat (approx. 5 cm). Bring the broth to a boil. Be sure to remove the scum (the galette will be clearer).
4. Add spices – allspice, bay leaves, pepper. Place the pot with the broth over low heat and cook for 5 hours.
5. After this time, add the peeled carrot and onion, season with salt. Cook for another 2 hours. Remove the meats from the pot and let them cool. Cool the broth too.
6. Separate the chicken from the bones, chop it or tear it into smaller pieces with a fork. Place them at the bottom of salad bowls. Pork legs will no longer be needed.
7. Cut a few slices of garlic cloves and cooked carrots into the salad bowls. Season with salt and pepper if necessary. Set aside to cool.
8. Pour the cooled broth over the salad bowls. Place them in the refrigerator for about 5 hours until they harden completely.
9. Cold legs should be served with mustard sauce, horseradish sauce, beetroot sauce or simply sprinkled with vinegar.
3) Corks
Colorful, fast and always welcome at a party. You can prepare them your own way, with ingredients that you have left in the fridge. Such snacks for New Year’s Eve, just like in the Polish People’s Republic, always work well and are very convenient to eat.
Ingredients (for 20 pieces):
- approx. 150 g of hard yellow cheese, e.g. Gouda,
- 1/2 red pepper,
- 6-8 pickled cucumbers or gherkins,
- 2 kabanos sausages.
How to do it:
1. Cut the cheese, red pepper, cucumbers and sausages into small pieces (cubes).
2. Thread onto toothpicks – from the bottom with yellow cheese, peppers, cucumber and on top, closing the cap with kabanos. Do not pierce the cheese with a toothpick all the way through, otherwise you will be able to place the cheese sticks on the board.
Salads and snacks from the times of the Polish People’s Republic are more than just delicious and easy-to-make food. They bring back memories and the atmosphere of old party nights. By playing them on New Year’s Eve, we will create a unique retro atmosphere. Such recipes are great for connecting generations and show that classics really don’t get old.
Source: Terazgotuje.pl, kontakter.pl
