Lazy Dumplings

The day when I finally have to cook more often has arrived. I find that my normal repertoire of spaghetti, traditional Christmas vegetable salad and a few simple dishes is not enough. Now, when I miss Polish food, I realize that I must learn to make it myself.

While browsing in bookstores or watching American television, I haven't noticed any culinary guides to Polish cuisine.  This would have been quite helpful, as it is not always easy to find the American equivalents of my native products.

Fortunately, the internet provides countless international recipes. I also bought the cleverly named Can’t Cook Book. It resulted in my preparing, among other dishes, a quite tasty rosemary salmon.

Once I tried to cook leniwe- lazy dumplings. After consulting with my sister I was full of optimism. We managed to find a tvarog in a Russian Deli. It tasted delicious. Unfortunately, it proved to be too moist, and the flour did not lend itself perfectly to the dumplings. The dough came out also in light brown shade, rather than the anticipated white, which was due to the absence of vanilla sugar - here, I am forced to use vanilla extract or create vanilla sugar myself. Still, my lazy dumplings resembled true Polish leniwe, and the next day no one complained of a stomachache.

Another time I attempted to make pomidorówka. American tomato paste met my expectations.  The soup turned out fine, and Dean even asked for seconds.  Another Polish soup made out of barley, krupnik, will be my next challenge. At the Jewish Deli I also spotted pickled cucumbers, which will be a great for ogórkowa. For the second course I plan mielone (cutlets), for which I am awaiting Mum’s recipe. Apple pancakes, racuchy, now appear often in our cuisine.

As for non-Polish traditional dishes, I specialize in vegetables cream soups, chicken curry and spinach smoothies. I think I could now invite guests for a simple, three course dinner. Just in case, we always we always stock a couple of frozen meals, including Ukrainian pielmieni.

For further training, I could attend the "making of pierogi" session organized by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Polish Home Association of Seattle. 

In less than a month my Dad is coming to visit us.  Maybe he will manage to bring with him a little bit of homemade rosół ?:)

                                                   

H.xx

                 

Snowy City

Last Sunday we went to explore Seattle. Due to the frequent drizzle, it is also known as the Rainy City. This time the city was covered in a rare snow, so hats and gloves were more handy than umbrellas.

Seattle is situated on a lake and at the mouth of the ocean.At the historic Pike Place Market on the waterfront, one can buy anything from fresh crab to souvenirs. Postcards seem always have a photo of the Space Needle tower. So far I lack the courage to take the elevator to its observation deck.

Downtown Seattle,although it is much smaller, reminds me of Manhattan. Yellow taxis and many homeless  are seen around. The smell of marijuana is also present, as it is legal in the state of Washington. The center is filled with skyscrapers and shops of famous brands, like Nordstrom ,which originates from Seattle. Interestingly, the son of its founder, a remarkable Swedish gold prospector, also founded Seattle Seahawks team.

In Seattle, the climate is artistic and entrepreneurial. It is here where grunge was created, but also where Amazon and Starbucks were born. Good universities are another city’s assets, and at one of them Amanda Knox herself is studying ...

For residents there is a network of modern trams, rarely found in the United States. They will certainly help to get to the upcoming opening of the first Zara department or to the upcoming exhibition of Miro works.

An interesting residential district is Capitol Hill. The neighborhood of the Polish Home Society, where twice a week you can enjoy a tasty Polish dinner. The restaurant itself looks like a mixture of patriotic club-room and a highland inn  Among the customers there are always a lot of Americans. Nearby there is also a beautiful Roman Catholic Cathedral.

We went for lunch on Madison Street, filled with smaller at the cafes and restaurants. Strangely, I did not spy a single Starbucks.  Coffee and omelette met our expectations. When walking we, observed charming family houses and snowman molded in their yards. 

Valentine's Day is coming soon. I already know that once again I will be moved when watching Sleepless in Seattle ..
                                       

Go Hawks - an update to the football post. 

At the Super Bowl game, Seattle Seahawks did not give Denver Broncos any chances to win. For the first time in the history, Seahawks became the NFL champions.  

I am attaching a photo from today's frenzy parade in Seattle, which I watched courtesy of local TV. The trophy is held by Richard Sherman, one of the most popular American football athletes. 

Ps. Maybe, dear readers, you know what is the other sport activity that Seahawks are known for? 

                                             

Coffee for Hannah

Despite being fluent in English, in the U.S. I encounter interesting linguistic challenges.  Some relate to my non- American accent. When at a coffee chain, I am getting used to hearing "coffee for Hannah". It is very nice feeling when I manage to buy it under my proper name. 

Today, when talking on the phone with energy company, a helpful speaker wanted to know is it better to say Hel -e- nah, or rather Hey – ley – nah. For some time now, I stopped using my long Polish surname, thereby eliminating the problem of long spelling (S like school, Z like zebra ..)

A few days ago on the bus to Seattle, I asked which stop would be the best to arrive at the center. I was sure that I heard two people saying the name Wesleys. After a few minutes, I saw a sign Westlake Station. Fortunately I asked if I should get off. It turned out that in fact it was the right stop.

Other situations concern different vocabulary. Before going to the U.S., I received a gift - a pocket English dictionary. It was not such an obvious help as it covered translation from American to British. It contained such well-known conversions as store- shop, fall - autumn, movie theater -cinema, yard - garden. From experience I learned that rajtki (for Warsaw readers - rajstopy) are not tights but pantyhose.

One day I told Dean that he should put on a jumper, otherwise he will catch a cold. However, he treated my concern with amazement. It turned out that in American jumper is nothing but a dress. Another time, I asked for a tissue. I quickly realized that in fact I needed a Kleenex.

The American language is full of regional accents, slangs, abbreviations. It also includes words and idioms of e.g. Indian, Jewish, Spanish origin. After experimenting a with menu at a Mexican restaurant, I ended up with small, cold, spicy snacks. They were obviously not suitable for the main course.

It is worth mentioning that US government protects non-English speakers.  To illustrate: I recently I took a driving knowledge test and on request, it was also available in foreign languages.

To finish a small linguistic quiz: A caballero and a mensch were kvetching during a pow wow.What might improve Their mood: chipotle, moccasins or DOA ?

                                         

        

H.

Go Blue !

In Chicago winter has hit fiercely. In California catholic priests pray for rain, and in Bellevue it rains almost every day. However, regardless of the weather, the majority of Americans will stop and watch American football.

I see now many teams banners hung at the shops, and TV presenters wear supporters shirts for a change.  Last Saturday, as part of the National Football League playoffs, our local team Seattle Seahawks played against the New Orleans Saints. The rain on the field was less familiar to the players from Louisiana. The victory led the Seahawks to the Super Bowl semi finals.

We watched the match at our friends taligate party, which loosely means held by the open trunk. It takes place before and during sporting events. What if not a barbecue and good beer will help the determined fan cheer? Remember that a football game lasts about three hours.

For me American football is a sport quite difficult to understand (like baseball, which I had the opportunity to see live) and also too brutal. Nevertheless, the social aspect is undoubtedly its great advantage.

Before the matches the national anthem of the U.S. is sung and, telling from my experience, it really makes an impression. Football attracts fans independent of age, gender, skin color, zip code or vocation. Top athletes are celebrities and often millionaires. It is worth noting that the price of tickets for important games starts at a minimum of two hundred dollars.

The stadiums are very friendly and safe. I have not heard about skirmishes between supporters. Recently I’ve seen a cult American film Invincible. It tells a true story about a player who starts professional football team at the late age of 30. In one scene, main character’s a girlfriend puts on a shirt of her hometown club. Although sitting in section supporting the opposition, she encounters only minor pokes. That is where team antagonisms end.

Yesterday I noticed a blue flag with the number 12 on it. It was attached to a flying  helicopter. By the street blue water was splurging from the fountains.  Let me explain. Each team fields eleven players and twelve symbolizes the fans. Blue is the official color of the team from Seattle. Next Sunday Seahawks will play against San Francisco. Go Blue !

H.

My Movies 2013.

New Year's is just around the corner, and in the United States holidays sales are everywhere you go.  I am enjoying the beautiful weather and picturesque sunsets. As I am not far from Hollywood, I decided to review a few American films that had their premiere in 2013.

Yesterday we went to see Saving Mr. Banks with the wonderful Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks. It is set between Australia and Los Angeles, and it dramatizes the creation of the Mary Poppins film against the backstory of the writer's youth.

One of the main characters is Walt Disney. His tenacity, diligence and unique sense of art ​​still provide us, through his empire, memorable American films and television. The film is also full of subtle differences between British and American culture. The first cannot live without milk in tea; the latter, although similarly hardworking, would not hesitate to serve the tea in a plastic cup.

Another film which opened in 2013 was 12 Years A Slave, which is now a favorite to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. The amazing and tragic story of a free man sold into slavery, pictured sometimes very plainly and realistically, captured the hearts of Americans. As Poles clap their hands after airplane landing, Americans often applaud at the end of movie. In this case, there was a thorough applause. When I was leaving the cinema, I saw many emotional Afro-Americans.

Frances Ha, was one of my most liked films. It is a black-and- white production about a dancer and her friends, who like most of the younger generation, are trying to find their place in the world. Witty dialogues are used to define the younger and more mature American middle class. It left me wondering about today’s realization of the American Dream.

Finally, the Hunger Games, Catching Fire, which broke box office records, not only in the United States but also abroad, impressed me. The second part of the sci-fi trilogy about a girl named Katniss, attracted crowds of not only teenagers but also their parents. It shows the beginning of the revolt of the oppressed citizens who have had enough of authoritarian rule and the brutal Olympics. Hawaiian scenery adds magic to a concise story, which taught us that society has a chance to survive, when the individual does not act alone.

Certainly I did not manage to see every important cinematographic offering this year, and I am sure that I could also mention a few more titles that attracted my attention, but those stand out.

I wish you all a happy New Year, full of new challenges, exceptional premieres and many desired successes.

                                                    

                                           
H.xx

Dear readers,

Best Christmas wishes from California. There will probably be no snow, (the last was here half a century ago), but so far we had borsch with dumplings and poppy-seed cake. Polka Deli saved our Christmas Eve, although I did prepare the traditional Polish vegetable salad. In the pantry I still have special sausage, paté and chalva for breakfast. The American accent for today's dinner was the eggnog. The non-alcoholic version is very close to a kogel- mogel dessert. After singing couple of carols, we unwrapped presents symbolically. Traditionally, presents are opened the morning of December 25, although oftentimes a single present is exchanged Christmas Eve.  The day after Christmas, shoppers will line up to return gifts and buy new ones. 
And now we can also enjoy waiting for New Year:) 
                                                                                      

H.xx