Planning a Polish-themed brunch is a unique way of presenting to friends and family members some of the delicious specialties of Poland. Starting with meals and going up to a dessert, there is much a Polish brunch can give to a person. So, make sure you follow the steps below in order to organize and host the best Polish-themed brunch possible.
1. Interior Decorating for Setting the Scene
For any themed brunch the mood is important. When thinking about Polish-themed brunch, the décor should depict a lively Polish spirit and feel. Adopt the colors of the Polish flag; red and white in your table settings, napkins, and flowers. Make use of traditional Polish folk art like Wycinanki, paper cuttings or using ceramics having Polish folk decorative designs like flowers.
You could also use wooden serving trays, linen tablecloths, and Polish traditional dishes. All these little things will make the
atmosphere and give the feeling of a Polish stay as from the very moment the
guests are entering the venue.
2. Crafting the Menu: Popular Polish Foods
It is impossible to organize a Polish-themed brunch without a menu that can reflect the taste of Poland. Polish cuisine is quite homey and there is no harm in making sure that your range of meals also include these types of dishes. Here are some must-have items for your brunch:
i. Pierogi: This type of stuffed dumplings is very
popular in Poland. They can be stuffed with different additions, for example
potatoes and cheese (Ruskie), with mushrooms and with pumpkin, and there are
even sweet types – stuffed with fruit. It is good to prepare it by boiling or
frying and taking a spoonful of sour cream with it.
ii. Placki Ziemniaczane: Another traditional meal is
potato pancakes, known in Poland called ‘placki ziemniaczane’ which is served
most preferably with sour cream or apple sauce. They’re crunchy on the outside
yet soft on the inside, and when served hot they’ll make a nice addition to
your savoury brunch.
iii. Jajecznica: Polish scrambled eggs can be prepared
with kielbasa or fried onions, and it is a very tasty dish. Enjoy it with some
crusty bread or any other bread of your choice, which is fresh.
iv. Bigos: Bigos, also known as hunter’s stew, is a heavy
dish consisting of sauerkraut and fresh cabbage with meat products. Though
usually associated with lunch or dinner, a small portion of it can finely
complement your brunch.
v. Makowiec: As for the dessert, I suggest offering
Makowiec, a poppy seed roll from Poland. It has a sweet taste with some nutty
qualities that go particularly well with coffee or even tea.
vi. Sernik: Another dessert you can try is the Polish
cheesecake which is made from twaróg, which is actually farmer’s cheese. It is
less sweet and is more compact compared to American style cheesecake, thus
ideal for desert.
3. Beverages: Traditional Polish Drinks
Every meal should be accompanied by a set of drinks, and brunch is not an exception. When planning a Polish-themed brunch menu, suggest alcoholic drinks that will go well with the potency of the meal.
i. Kawa: Traditional Polish coffee is a must. Brew it
strong, and for those who want to enjoy it with something, a piece of cake or a
pastry is recommended.
ii. Herbata: Polish tea is also popular and is usually
taken with a slice of lemon or a drizzle of honey. Serve the different types of
teas such as black tea, green tea and herbal mixtures.
iii. Kompot: It is a kind of fruit mineral made of apples,
cherries, or plums, which are cooked with sugar and water. Consumed as a non-alcoholic beverage and is best when served cold.
iv. Vodka: For strong-tasting beverages, the country
also offers vodka, which is made from potatoes in Poland. Serving options
should include Zubrowka (bison grass vodka) plain vodka, with a pickle on the
side.
v. Miod Pitny: One of the unique drinks that you could
consider offering during brunch is the traditional honey wine also known as
mead. The sweet and rich taste goes very well with many of the dishes.
4. Planning the Flow: Timing and Service
There is always a perfect time to host a brunch. Make sure that in planning for your menu, the foods to be prepared are those that are good when served hot and those which will taste better when served fresh. Given that most of the dishes from Poland can be heavy, it is advisable to have the dishes in small proportions in order to allow the guests to blend into most of the dishes.
Begin with Potato Pancakes (Jajecznica) and Potato Crisps
(Placki Ziemniaczane) prior to ordering heavier meals such as Dumplings
(Pierogi) or Hunters’ Stew (Bigos). End with desserts and coffee/tea.
A more preferable approach could be serving food at a
restaurant-style where everyone can pick their preferred meal from the various
plates available. It also makes serving easier because guests follow the food
server’s recommendation and wish they will order at their own convenient pace.
5. Adding a Cultural Experience: Music & Activities
To spice up a little bit, go further than just adding some Polish foods or drinks. Choose a number of traditional folk music or popular music from Poland to play in the background. This will complement the overall atmosphere and let your guests experience something of Poland and its traditions.
You could also set up a small learning station where
guests can pick up some basic phrases from Poland or practice their Wycinanki.
These activities will ensure that the brunch is more engaging and is well
remembered by the guests.
6. Inviting Guests and Etiquette
When inviting people, it is useful to give some brief information on the food and traditions of Poland. This could be done in a more light-hearted manner for example, every invitation could contain some trivia about Poland.
Do not leave your guests stuck with their plates of food
during the brunch – make them participate in the event by asking for their
opinions on the plates you have prepared. The people from Poland are polite and
hospitable so make the people you are inviting feel right at home.
7. Final Touches: Allowing Guests to Leave with a Treat
Lastly, it would also be advisable to provide your guests with small gifts in order to wrap up the event. This could be some cookies from Poland like a few pierogi or Makowiec, or some treats, packed into the parchment paper. Instead of that you could present them with a small jar of honey from Poland or a bag with herbs for tea.
Conclusion
Hosting a Polish-themed brunch Party is a perfect way to
honor the great Polish cuisine and invite friends and family to taste a small
piece of gastronomies from Poland. If you pay attention to the choice of meals,
the mood in the hall, and use national references, your guests will definitely
have nice impressions. Regardless of what your guests knew about cuisine’s from
Poland before or what they are going to taste during the brunch, you will leave
a long-lasting impression on them.
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