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Post by Jaga on Mar 12, 2006 16:20:04 GMT -7
Read more: www.paaa.us/sawkaembassy.htmHanka will share her experiences of life in communist Poland as the wife of the respected Polish artist Jan Sawka and their journey to New York City and her own development as a culinary expert. See the New York Times book review of Hanka’s book at: www.jansawka.com/athankastable/images/press/fabricantTimes.pdf Tomasz Duda, the Polish Embassy’s chef, will prepare a buffet of dishes based on Hanka’s recipes. Copies of her book – beautifully illustrated by her husband and daughter -- will be available for $20. Proceeds go to the PAAA scholarship fund. |
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Post by rdywenur on Mar 14, 2006 16:01:03 GMT -7
Jag, If DC were closer I would be tempted to go to this event. How so intersting she is.
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Post by Jaga on Mar 14, 2006 20:36:47 GMT -7
Chris, yes I wish I was also closer! This is an interesting mixture of the artistic family alos interested in cooking. The ilustrations in the book are very interesting, check also this link: www.paaa.us/sawka.htm |
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Post by hollister on Mar 30, 2006 10:39:14 GMT -7
Okay guys!
We leave early tomorrow morning for DC. I promise to take pictures and tell you all about it when I get home.
Believe me you are all going along with me in my heart.
Chris (Hollister)
PS Anybody want anything from DC? (within reason of course!)
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Post by Jaga on Mar 30, 2006 14:26:58 GMT -7
Chris,
I was wondering about you. I want your picture from DC with somebody there - either Hanka or Richard or the food, thanks!
Have a great stay!
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nancy
European
Posts: 2,144
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Post by nancy on Mar 30, 2006 17:20:05 GMT -7
PS Anybody want anything from DC? (within reason of course!) I want you to have a good time! and maybe some smalec for Leslie? |
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Post by hollister on Apr 3, 2006 14:39:24 GMT -7
Just back from DC (about 20 minutes ago) after I unpack and catch up on stuff that happened while we were gone, I will give you a full report! For now you will have to accept that it was FANTASTIC and we had a wonderful time!
Chris - Hollister
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Post by Jaga on Apr 3, 2006 15:19:48 GMT -7
Chris,
I am sooo glad. I was really hoping that everything would be great but a part of me was worrying that if we have too much expectations something can go wrong.
Please, let us know soon how was everything!
Jaga
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Post by hollister on Apr 4, 2006 8:49:34 GMT -7
I put some pictures up at: community.webshots.com/user/holisterpriceNOT happy with how they came out - But Richard took lots of pictures and used a flash so I hope his came out better Wed. pm I fiddled with the pictures - so Hanka's pictures are lighter now. Thanks to Nancy for her advice and tips! |
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Post by Jaga on Apr 4, 2006 11:00:48 GMT -7
Holly,
I saw the pictures, they are interesting although Hanka's photos are bit dark. I was never really inside Polish embassy except getting the visa. Did you see also Polish house in DC? I was there once, they have a Polish library.
How was the food? I hope that Richard would send me also nice pictures so that we would have a nice article from the dinner. I hope you are also on some of the photos!
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Post by hollister on Apr 4, 2006 11:51:23 GMT -7
Sorry about the photo quality....  I was shy about using my flash and the pictures actually look MUCH lighter on my computer but when I loaded them onto Webshots I was surprised how dark they came out. Okay now onto the dinner We were met at the door by the people from the PAAA group and the embassy guard who had to check us out - which meant making sure our names were on the list. There were cookbooks for sale on a table in the main foyer. Then you went upstairs where they had the rooms all set up. Hanka and her daughter Hanna Marie were there signing books and people were chatting. I met up with Richard Pomerenski and he took photos. This is off the top of my head so please do not expect a great literary work here. ;D Then we all sat down and Hanna and her daughter talked about writing the book. They talked a lot about Polish History. Because of that history, there have been times when Polish history was not taught in the schools or it was strictly regulated as to what was actually taught in the schools. In those times, the real Polish history was taught to the next generation around the table. So the book is a combination of Hanka and Hanna's personal history intertwined with family recipes. I have glanced through the book it looks wonderful! Hanka's husband did the illustrations for the book as well. The talk was fun as first Hanna talked and Hanka would tug on her sleeve and remind her to say something and she would nod and say,"yes mom" and go on and then when Hanka spoke, Hanna would tug on her mom's sleeve with the same dictum and the same response. They have been traveling around to several culinary schools on the east coast doing presentations. They said that the students are often surprised to find out how delicate the flavors are in Polish cooking. Previously they only thought of pirogies as Polish - and then the pirogies they thought of were Russian (potatoes & cheese) not Polish. There were several representatives from a historical cooking society present at the talk as well. I sat across from one at dinner and she told me that they are working on a project about how family recipes change over time - especially the immigrant experience. Then dinner We had White Borscht Mizeria Purple Cabbage turned Pink Salad Little Hooves (potato Noodles) Go??bki ( Little Pigeons or Stuffed Cabbage) Braised Beef There was a fish dish as well (I had run out of room on my plate - I think it was salmon) There was pickled herring - onion salad - pickles and marinated cherries Poppy Seed cake Tirimusu (best this side of Warsaw) chocolate Torte I know I am forgetting something .... Then we all sat down to eat Everything was very relaxed and lots of talking and moving around the tables at this point. Once we were so stuffed you couldn't move they rolled us out the door into cabs and to the hotel. I would go back in a heartbeat and I recommend the experience to all. it was something I will recall for a long time and treasure. As I said that is off the top of my head -I came home to a minor firestorm here. Ever notice how there can be days and days when nothing happens and then you go away for a couple of days and it is like a crack of hell opens up and lets all sort of mayhem loose? No? maybe it is just me. I would be happy to do a more formal recount if you want more information. Hollister |
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nancy
European
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Post by nancy on Apr 4, 2006 13:30:03 GMT -7
Hollister,
Hanka's dinner sounds like a wonderful and delicious experience!
Do you have photo editing software? Photoshop will correct those dark pics instantly - I tried on one of Hanka, but it was a low res copy so did not look detailed - but the lighting was much changed. I can help, if you want...
Now, after that wonderful trip, you said you came home to a firestorm ... I hope I am not just being nosy, but of course, now I am worried that something awful has happened to you or Seth ... or the apartment....
Nancy
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Post by gardenmoma on Apr 4, 2006 21:18:24 GMT -7
Chris, Thank you for sharing your DC experience with us  Did you buy a cookbook? This one sounds as if it is one worth having...what do you think? GM |
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Post by hollister on Apr 5, 2006 12:56:11 GMT -7
Chris, Thank you for sharing your DC experience with us Did you buy a cookbook? This one sounds as if it is one worth having...what do you think? GM GM, Yes, I did buy the cookbook. It is quite a book. If you want strictly a cookbook you might be a little surprised. The book is her story intertwined with recipes. The recipes are the ones anyone familiar with Polish food would expect to find - if you aren't familiar the recipes show the broad spectrum of Polish food. She also includes non-Polish recipes she learned from friends in France and the US after the Polish Gov't "asked" them to leave. In glancing over them the recipes appear to be adapted for American kitchens and grocery stores. For me, it will be a nice addition to my growing collection - as all the "comfort foods" are here as well as helpful suggestions for the Wigila and Easter tables in the States. With my background and training in history - I was quite intrigued with her thesis about the teaching of history around the table and how dinner/family time is so important. I know at the dinner most of the proceeds from the sale of the cookbooks was going to PAAA and I think a portion of sales overall do as well. So it is a get something for me and give something for others! If you want a list of the recipies included I would be happy to type of a list for you if that would help you out. Hollister (Chris) |
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Post by rdywenur on Apr 5, 2006 15:00:55 GMT -7
GM. I wrote to Jan and this is my response. I must write back as she did not tell me the full amount of S&H. I'll let you know unless you wish to email yourself for details.
Chris
Dear Chris,
You can get an autographed copy from me for $20 plus postage. I will also have copies available at PAAA's next general membership meeting at American University on Sunday, May 21.
Regards,
Jane Morse, president
Polish American Arts Association
jamorse@ix.netcom.com
Hollister (Chris)
Thanks so much for the pix. Looks like you had an enjoyable evening. I am so envious.
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