Polish food blog is 9 years old!
Celebrating 9 Delicious Years of Polish Cuisine with Polish Your Kitchen.
November marks a significant milestone for your most beloved source of Polish culinary inspiration and my baby: Polish Your Kitchen. What a journey it has been! From humble beginnings to becoming a (what I’m told) go-to resource for all things Polish food, Polish Your Kitchen has helped countless home cooks and food enthusiasts discover the rich flavors of Poland. Whether you’re craving pierogi, borscht, or a hearty Polish stew, I got you covered.
The Journey of Polish Your Kitchen
Since its inception in 2015, Polish Your Kitchen has grown into a trusted platform for learning about Polish cuisine. Created by Anna Hurning, a passionate cook with deep roots in Polish culture, the blog offers easy-to-follow recipes, helpful tips, and a glimpse into the traditions that make Polish food so special. Over the past nine years, the blog has become much more than just a collection of recipes—it’s a celebration of Polish culinary heritage. I’ve started the blog when Mark (my husband) was stationed (with the Army) in Hawaii. I begun writing down our family recipes for a few reasons:
1. I wanted them for our then 10-year-old daughter.
2. I needed a hobby.
3. My grandma was still alive and I had a quick access to all recipes in her head.
4. There wasn’t really a resource on line for people to explore Polish cuisine in English.
I created a quick logo and a simple website on my own. I had a great camera, as I was already interested in photography. I loved cooking. I created my Facebook page and started sharing the recipes. It was a lot of fun and the page quickly grew. I learned that there were tons of people who needed these recipes. Over and over I heard a story of a relative taking all of their secrets to their grave. Over and over I heard that MY RECIPES are JUST LIKE their mom’s, aunt’s or grandpa’s. Your letters and comments were fuel that kept me going for years.
Since then, Mark has retired and in 2018 we moved back to my hometown of Szczecin, Poland. I continued with the recipes and my readers started asking about a cookbook. In 2022, with your help, I self-published my first cookbook “Polish Your Kitchen; My Family Table”. It was a huge success! The book sold out in the first week of pre-sales and (since this was during pandemic and all supply chains were a bit strained) we had to wait a bit for a reprint. It was such a pleasant surprise to find out how great the book did. Since then, the book sold in over 7,000 copies and is still doing pretty well.
What makes Polish Your Kitchen stand out?
1. Authentic Polish Recipes
One of the key reasons Polish Your Kitchen has gained such a loyal following is its commitment to authenticity. The blog doesn’t just focus on the popular dishes like pierogi or kielbasa; it explores regional specialties, seasonal dishes, and lesser-known Polish treats. From the famed Polish sour rye soup (żurek) to mouth-watering Polish cakes like szarlotka (apple pie), every recipe is a true taste of Poland.
2. Easy-to-follow instructions
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, the step-by-step instructions make it easy to recreate these classic dishes at home. Recipes are often accompanied by tips, photos, and videos, ensuring a smooth cooking experience.
3. Educational content
Beyond recipes, Polish Your Kitchen offers valuable insights into Polish food history, food culture, and cooking techniques. Each post is an opportunity to learn not only how to make a dish but also to understand its significance in Polish traditions. In 2020, one of our friends had talked us into starting a YouTube channel. I was a bit reluctant, as being in front of a camera is not my favorite thing but we gave it a try. We shot over 190 videos teaching you how to prepare Polish food and also, when the kitchen was closed, we traveled around Poland eating and showing you around the beautiful country of Poland. Even though we have not been very active on YouTube recently, occasionally you’ll find a new video being published. All of them are still available for you to enjoy – link here: YouTube.
Popular recipes you can’t miss
As Polish Your Kitchen celebrates its 9th anniversary, it’s worth revisiting some of the blog’s most popular recipes. If you’re new to Polish food or just need some inspiration, here are a few must-try dishes:
Pierogi – no Polish food blog would be complete without pierogi! Whether stuffed with potatoes and cheese, meat, mushrooms, or fruit, these dumplings are a crowd-pleaser.
Bigos – often referred to as the Hunter’s Stew, bigos is a comforting dish made with sauerkraut, fresh cabbage, and a mix of meats. It’s a perfect recipe for cold winter days.
Żurek: this sour rye soup is a Polish favorite, typically served with sausage and hard-boiled eggs. Its tangy flavor is the perfect balance to the hearty ingredients.
A Growing Community of Polish Food Lovers
What started as a passion project has grown into an active community of Polish food lovers from around the world. Polish Your Kitchen has garnered an engaged audience on social media, where readers share their cooking experiences, tips, and variations on the blog’s recipes. The blog’s Facebook group: Polish Your Kitchen – Made by You, is filled with photos of home-cooked Polish meals, showcasing the love and creativity that followers bring to the table – please join!
Since 2022, I’ve published 3 more cookbooks: “Polish Your Kitchen; A Book of Memories, Easter Edition”, “Polish Your Kitchen; A Book of Memories, Christmas Edition” and the most recent “Polish Your Kitchen; Dumplings & Dragons” – a cookbook and storybook for kids.
Looking ahead: what’s next for Polish Your Kitchen?
As my blog turns 9, I’m looking forward to what the future brings. I’m currently working on one more cookbook, a dessert book and am curious how it will be received. I’ve been very satisfied with how my PYK has grown and what it has delivered. The endless stories from readers and viewers confirm the need for it everyday. Thank you for being with me for all these years and supporting me through my on-line bookstore.
Join the Celebration!
If you’d like to “give us a birthday gift” today, please share polishyourkitchen.com with someone you love and help us spread the Polish traditions and heritage.
As a thank you for your support, to every purchase made between today and Sunday (19–24 of November) I will include a small gift (it will be a surprise). Please just make sure to add GIFT in the notes of your order.🥳 Link to store: MY BOOK STORE.
Thank you to all of you, my hungry friends for sticking around. I hope it’s been worth it.
With love from Poland,
Anna and Mark Hurning
My cookbooks!
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