The Sweet Polish Kitchen: A celebration of home baking and nostalgic treats

By Ren Behan

‘The delight this book has been giving me is something no realistic person could really expect, which makes it even more of a treat.– Nigella Lawson

Scores the trifecta for me as a must-have book – genuine excitement and joy in sharing the food from a personal culture; writing that is evocative and full of heart.’ – Helen Goh

A collection of traditional and modern Polish baking and dessert recipes including Babkas, cheesecakes, tarts, pastries and all things sweet and celebratory. Ren Behan takes you from everyday baking to Easter celebrations in this comprehensive take on Polish sweet treats, and draws on influences from across central and Eastern Europe.

Honey, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, citrus peel, cherries, sweet whipped cheese… with these warming scents and flavours, Ren Behan takes you on a comprehensive tour of Polish sweet treats.

With modern twists on classic much-loved recipes and bold, folkloric styling, The Sweet Polish Kitchen is designed to bring the spirit of Polish pâtissière to a new audience who appreciate a diasporic narrative and journey through food.

Poland’s rich, multi-national cafe culture underpins these recipes, which draw on many influences; the first pâtisseries in Warsaw were opened by Italian and Swiss immigrants, and there are also borrowings from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russia, Lithuania and Belarus. A new and delicious baking world is in your hands…

Contents

  • Polish Baking Basics opens the doors to tradition, passed down through the generations.
  • Experience the timeless elegance of Polish Classics: including cheesecakes that melt in your mouth and blueberry buns bursting with flavour.
  • Each Layer Cake and Traybake creation is a masterpiece, showcasing the beauty of Polish baking. The plum crumble tart and raspberry and lemon cloud cake take things to new heights.
  • Enjoy exhilarating deep-fried and filled Carnival Treats, guaranteed to make your taste buds dance with delight.
  • Learn about the importance of Easter in Poland with irresistible treats to share with your loved ones. Bring the warmth and joy to your home during other Festive Seasons with heavenly Bundts, delectable marzipan crescents, and iconic poppy seed rolls.
  • Elevate your breakfast and brunch game with baked Pancakes and Pierogi; laden with soft cheese, dark cherries and cinnamon cream.
  • In the spirit of the Breads, Loaves and Buns chapter, transport yourself to the streets of Krakow with caraway and rye breads and sink your teeth into warm bagels.
  • Round off your Polish baking journey with a delightful selection of Desserts, Sweets, and Preserves. Explore the naughty delights of Adwocat liqueur, seductive plums in chocolate, and the luxury of fragrant rose petal jam.
Author: Ren Behan
Format: Hardback
Release Date: 29 Feb 2024
Pages: 192
ISBN: 978-0-00-859010-9
Ren Behan (née Marczak) is a British food writer of Polish descent, who is inspired by both her heritage and the fast-changing food landscape in Poland. Her recipes are an exciting fusion of both traditional and modern Eastern European cuisine. Ren is a mother of three and has written for prominent online publications such as JamieOliver.com and Guardian. Alongside running her blog RenBehan.com, she practices law. She is a member of The Guild of Food Writers. Her Polish recipes have been featured in leading mainstream publications such as delicious., BBC Good Food and Olive, and she is regularly a judge at The Guild of Food Writers Awards. Wild Honey and Rye was her debut cookbook, and The Sweet Polish Kitchen follows.

”'I’ve always been a huge fan of Ren’s - she is a very gifted baker, something I imagine to be steeped in Polish heritage. The Sweet Polish Kitchen is packed full of beautiful bakes that you will want to recreate time and again. I don’t think there is a single recipe of hers I wouldn’t like to eat, so it’s a must any serious lover of good food.” - - Sabrina Ghayour

”'Shines a delicious spotlight on Polish delights” - - Gurdeep Loyal’s 'Hot for 2024’, OliveMagazine

”'British-Polish food writer and author Ren Behan has created a collection of babkas, tarts, cheesecakes, pastries and more - and I want to eat them all” - - Mark Diacono, Delicious Magazine

'This memorable volume is a must for home bakers and Polonophiles alike' - Publishers Weekly -

”'A delightful family tale told through cakes, doughnuts and tarts that will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but also teach you a lot about Polish culture and tradition” - - Irina Georgescu, author of Tava

”'I cannot recommend Ren’s cookbook enough” - - Olia Hercules

'This book is loaded with delightful and traditional recipes for Polish cakes, sweet treats, cookies and more. Thank you for promoting Polish cuisine around the world.' - Monika Zacharska-Dudek -

'It's a beautiful recipe book and it was so nice for me to have a look into some of the sweet treats my Polish grandad might have enjoyed when he was a child.' - Mihaela Betsy -

'The most wonderful book, beautifully curated and illustrated, with page upon page of delicious treats to make your mouth water. We can't wait to make more.' - This Parker Life -

'The imagery inside is absolutely stunning and I want to eat everything right now!' - Amelia Le Bruin -