Tag Archives: Cooking

Around the World in 80 Days – Pierogis

Flashback –

In preparation for Christmas, Patrycja, from Poland, currently residing in Southern Maryland, and her host dad spent all day making traditional Polish pierogi!

She said, “I wasn’t sure if we can actually do it since I’ve never made pierogi by myself before, but we did it!

‘Pierogi z kapustą kiszoną i pieczarkami’ one of the things Poland is most known for! (Sauerkraut and mushrooms)

My mom offered us her help (from Poland), so we had the greatest pierogi maker on our side 😁 We ended up with almost 100 pierogi!

I am really really proud of us and I’m glad I could contribute to this Christmas with a little bit of my own culture!”

Around the World in 80 Days – Romanian Apple Cake

Ingredients

  • 800 ml milk (3 ½ cups)
  • 4-5 tablespoon sugar burnt
  • 1 kg apple (2 ¼ pounds)
  • 5 eggs
  • 5 tablespoon sugar
  • Vanilla (about 2 teaspoons)
  • Cinnamon (about 1 teaspoon)
  • Raisins (1/2 Cup)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

  1. Put the 4-5 tbsp. sugar in a middle size pot and let the sugar burn.
  2. Mix 5 eggs with 800 ml milk and with 5 tbsp sugar
  3. When the sugar is caramelized add the combined milk and sugar in the pot and add cinnamon, raisins and vanilla to taste
  4. In that milk mixture add 1 kg apple without skin and cut in medium parts.
  5. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 10-15 minutes until the top is brown.
  6. Turn the pot with the cake inside an a large plate. You can decorate with whipped cream.

*To Make a cake by 4 eggs:

  1. If you make with 4 eggs, you have to separate the white part of the eggs from the yellow part.
  2. In a bowl beat the whites until stiff but not dry.
  3. In another bowl mix the yellows with 5 tbsp sugar.
  4. Mix all that together with 5 tbsp flour and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Be careful and mix slowly.
  5. Put this batter in the pot after the apples are brown.
  6. Bake in a 375 grade oven for 30 minutes or till a wooden toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Turn the pot with the cake inside an a large plate. You can decorate with whipped cream.

Submitted by Renata Moca 2003, au pair in Illinois

Photo by: Shari’s Berries

Around the World in 80 Days – Happy Canada Day

Happy Canada Day!

Canada Day, observed on July 1st, is a national holiday marking the anniversary of Confederation in 1867, when the British North America Act came into effect. … This act united three colonies into a single country called Canada within the British Empire.

CANADA

North America
Capital: Ottowa
Language(s): English, French
Religion(s): Christianity

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Canadians are patriotic, but perhaps don’t express this as openly as US citizens.
  • Every province is known for its own individual traits.
  • It’s common for young people to be involved in sports and outdoor activities. Hockey tends to be the most popular sport across the country, but soccer, baseball, football and basketball are very popular as well.

FUN FACTS:

  • Most Canadians actually do not say ‘eh’… but it can happen occasionally!
  • Canada is the second largest country in the world, stretching from the Pacific in the west to the Atlantic in the east; and from the Arctic Ocean in the north, to the Great Lakes in the south.
  • Canadians always like to talk about the weather, and are quick to reassure you that it actually doesn’t snow all year round, except in the Far North.

Poutine:

Poutine is a dish that includes french fries and cheese curds topped with a brown gravy. It originated in the Canadian province of Quebec and emerged in the late 1950s in the Centre-du-Québec area. It has long been associated with Quebec cuisine.

What Canadian au pairs have to say about the APIA program:

“It is the most rewarding experience I have ever had. My host family really has become my extended family. It’s your opportunity to make the most of – it’s only going to be as good as you make it!” – Tessa, au pair from Canad

“Please do it, it will change your life for the better! A great experience!”– Megan, au pair from Canada

Photo by: Traci {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Cooking in the UK

 

The United Kingdom is known for it’s unique foods and tea time! Preparing meals from scratch for children is very common. The UK is a melting pot of ethnicities. This is due largely to the fact that it had colonies in different parts of the world. As a result, the varieties of foods are influenced by the various cultures!

Hasty Pudding

2 ounces butter
1 egg
2 tablespoons plain flour
1 pint milk
1 sprinkle freshly grated nutmeg or ground cinnamon
1 ounce light soft brown sugar

1. Add one ounce of butter, the flour, and milk in a saucepan.

2. Heat, whisking continuously until sauce thickens, boils, and is smooth.

3. Simmer for one-two minutes, stir in the egg, then pour into a flameproof serving dish.

4. Dot with the remaining butter and sprinkle generously with nutmeg or cinnamon and the sugar.

5. Brown under a hot grill.

6. Serve hot on its own or with fruit, such as apples or pears.

How about Sticky Toffee Pudding or a muffin topped winter beef stew? Try making a classic – scones with clotted cream & jam!

For more recipes from the UK, click here or here!

Photo by: Karen Booth {flickr}; HarshLight {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Russki Salat

Russki Salat

Russian salads contain cooked vegetables and often include cooked meat, poultry, or fish. The salad dressing is simply oil and vinegar.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup diced cooked meat (ham, beef, turkey, or your favorite)
  • 2 cups cooked, peeled and diced beets
  • 2 cups cooked, peeled and diced potatoes
  • 1 cup cooked beans (your favorite)
  • 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
  • 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
  • 3 hard boiled eggs, sliced
  • 6 small sweet pickles, chopped
  • Oil and Vinegar for dressing

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients in a large salad bowl.
  2. Add salt and pepper to taste. Let each guest prepare his or her own dressing.

Christmas Pierogi

A favorite Christmas experience! In preparation for Christmas, Patrycja, from Poland, currently residing in Southern Maryland, and her host dad spent all day making traditional Polish pierogi!

She said, “I wasn’t sure if we can actually do it since I’ve never made pierogi by myself before, but we did it!

‘Pierogi z kapustą kiszoną i pieczarkami’ one of the things Poland is most known for! (Sauerkraut and mushrooms)

My mom offered us her help (from Poland), so we had the greatest pierogi maker on our side 😁 We ended up with almost 100 pierogi

I am really really proud of us and I’m glad I could contribute to this Christmas with a little bit of my own culture!”

To learn how to make pierogi, follow this recipe.

Around the World in 80 Days – Bobotie (South Africa)

Ingredients

  • 1 lb cooked mince (ground beef – with onion in oil or butter, salt and pepper and one  tablespoon tomato paste for flavor – parsley)
  • 1 big onion
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 slice bread soaked in milk
  • 1 tablespoon curry (paste or powder – I use paste)
  • 1/4 cup coconut (not sweet) or almonds
  • Juice of one lemon
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Apricot jam or 1 dessert spoon honey
  • 3 cups milk
  • 3 eggs

Instructions

  1. Fry the onions in butter and add curry – allow to become darker.
  2. Beat the eggs and milk together. Add lemon juice into curry then Apricot jam, coconut, bread & vinegar.
  3. Add mince beef and one third of milk & egg mixture. Bake for ten minutes in pyrex dish uncovered at 325 F.
  4. Then pour over the balance of milk & egg mixture and leave in oven until brown.

Photo by: James Thompson {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Russki Salat

Russki Salat

Russian salads contain cooked vegetables and often include cooked meat, poultry, or fish. The salad dressing is simply oil and vinegar.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup diced cooked meat (ham, beef, turkey, or your favorite)
  • 2 cups cooked, peeled and diced beets
  • 2 cups cooked, peeled and diced potatoes
  • 1 cup cooked beans (your favorite)
  • 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
  • 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
  • 3 hard boiled eggs, sliced
  • 6 small sweet pickles, chopped
  • Oil and Vinegar for dressing

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients in a large salad bowl.
  2. Add salt and pepper to taste. Let each guest prepare his or her own dressing.

Around the World in 80 Days – Canadian Desserts

For some amazing Canadian recipes, check out the Food Network.  Berry Bannock Bread  Pudding looks amazing!  How about trying Uncooked Danties?

Mix Together

  • 1/4 cup margarine
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1/2 cup warm milk

Add

  • a few drops artificial vanilla
  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup coconut
  • 6 tbs cocoa
  • 1/2 – 1 cup raisins
  1. Mix well and form into balls on ungreased cookie sheet.
  2. Place in fridge till chilled.

Submitted by Melissa Cleasby from Canada, au pair in Massachusetts 2004

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by: Jen Arr {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Argentine Milanesas or Shnitzels

Milanesas or Shnitzels

Ingredients

  • 6 veal rounds
  • 2 eggs, whipped
  • 1 cup of bread crumbs
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Dip the milanesas (veal rounds) in the whipped eggs and in the bread crumbs with salt and pepper.
  2. Shake of the excess bread crumbs.
  3. Fry the milanesas until golden, or bake in the oven at 350°F (place the milanesas in a pan, cooked them for 10 minutes, then turn them over and baked them 10 more minutes). You can make them a la napolitana with tomato sauce and mozzarella on top.

You can served them with French fries, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, salad or rice.

Submitted by Betiana Turteltaub, au pair in Villanova, Pennsylvania, 2004-2005

Photo by: Matias Berhardt {flickr}