04/06/2020
Born and raised in Poland, food blogger and food photographer Korkosz shares his favorite dishes from his home country in this impressive debut collection of vegetarian fare. Korkosz covers well-known favorites such as pierogi, a dumpling here stuffed with such combinations as sauerkraut, mushrooms, and orange zest; spinach, goat cheese and salted almonds; or lentils and sun-dried tomatoes. Korkosz shares plenty of inventive dishes, such as a creamy sauerkraut soup; dill pickle soup with buttered potatoes; and barley risotto with asparagus, cider, and goat cheese. Other recipes include a can’t-miss buttermilk honey french toast; and a salad of baked beets, apple, and feta with a walnut vinaigrette. Desserts are a highlight, with a riff on the classic mazurek, a flat short-crust pastry that’s filled with raspberry jam, mascarpone, and rose petal preserves, then topped with slivered almonds; the traditional Polish cheesecake, made lighter with cottage or farmer cheese in lieu of cream cheese; and the Polish doughnuts known as paczi. Home cooks, whether vegetarian or not, will appreciate this creative take on what is traditionally meat-heavy fare. (Mar.)
"Despite its (unjustified) reputation as meat-heavy, Polish cuisine is traditionally naturally rich with vegetarian dishes, and it makes me so happy that Michał Korkosz is bringing them to us in all their glory, with subtle modern touches and beautiful photography."
"Korkosz’s photographic talent and his inventive ways with Polish cuisine make his first book (he’s just 22!) a real standout . . . Rounding out the 87 recipes are Korkosz’s very personal introductions to each chapter and each dish . . . and that top-notch photography, of course, evokes all thoughts of home and ties together his emphasis on family and food."
"This book is, like the author’s beloved creamy sauerkraut soup, a ‘one of a kind’ pleasure. An ideal and spirited guide to the sweet, sour, satisfying tastes of his native Poland, Michał Korkosz is funny, encouraging (‘Making pierogi is so relaxing’) and joyously indulgent (‘Tons of butter!’) An enjoyable, transporting and inspiring read and a modern view of soulful food that’s firmly rooted in tradition."
"If your knowledge of Polish food stops at kielbasas and pierogi, definitely check out this exciting vegetarian cookbook written and shot by Polish food blogger Michał Korkosz. There are easy recipes that you can knock out while your morning coffee brews, like plump cheese curd dumplings made with farmer cheese, and bigger projects like the Barbie-pink chilled beet soup garnished with chopped potatoes and plenty of dill. As a guide, Korkosz makes ample space for readers to customize his ingredients; he’s all about adjusting for seasonality and whatever you’ve got on hand."
"This book contains so many memories from my childhood, that just going through the list of dishes puts a smile on my face. Open sandwiches, pancakes with cheese, jagodzianki , and gzik take me back in time to my mom’s morning table and me, a small girl waiting for something delicious to be served. Ogórkowa and pomidorowa are must-tries, as these soups will make you feel the love of all the Polish mothers preparing these for their children coming back from school. I’m so excited for people outside of Poland to learn about oscypek and bryndza , and my favorite twaróg , which is so unique in flavor and consistency that it has no competition in its category. But mostly, I love Michal’s stories. He shares a piece of his talent and his life with us. After reading this book, I want to visit him, sit at his table, and share secrets over something delicious, preferably his Polish cheesecake."
"For those who think of Polish cuisine as merely potato pancakes and cabbage rolls, this charming collection will be an eye opener and a treat to the palate."
The Rusa Book Media Awards (ALA)
"Korkosz has created a gorgeous paean to the cooking of his home country. . . . Full of recipes that will engage everyone from beginning home cooks to experienced chefs. . . . A truly beautiful cookbook."
"As an award-winning photographer and food blogger, Korkosz has written a beautiful cookbook with gorgeous photographs that will inspire home cooks. This book tweaks old favorites, from an ancient land, to make them healthful, plant-based, and relevant for today’s home cook."
New York Journal of Books
"An Indie BestsellerBooklist Top 10 Cookbook of 2020San Francisco Chronicle Best Cookbook of 2020
"It’s rare to find a cook and writer who is equally talented at making stunning savory dishes and pulling off perfect baked goods. Through the fluffy pancakes, soulful soups, and delicate pierogis of his past and present, Michal Korkosz gives readers everywhere a beautiful and eye-opening introduction to the bounties of Polish cuisine, plus a few inspiring twists of his own. The colors alone—of golden morning buns and magenta beets—are enough to pull you in to his recipes."
An Indie Bestseller A Booklist Top 10 Cookbook of 2020 A San Francisco Chronicle Best Cookbook of 2020 “Lovely.”—Washington Post “If your knowledge of Polish food stops at kielbasas and pierogi, definitely check out this exciting vegetarian cookbook written and shot by Polish food blogger Michał Korkosz. There are easy recipes that you can knock out while your morning coffee brews, like plump cheese curd dumplings made with farmer cheese, and bigger projects like the Barbie-pink chilled beet soup garnished with chopped potatoes and plenty of dill. As a guide, Korkosz makes ample space for readers to customize his ingredients; he’s all about adjusting for seasonality and whatever you’ve got on hand.”—San Francisco Chronicle “For those who think of Polish cuisine as merely potato pancakes and cabbage rolls, this charming collection will be an eye opener and a treat to the palate.”—The Rusa Book Media Awards (ALA) “A light and delicious take on a cuisine often underrepresented in cooking collections. Vegetarian or not, most cooks will find something to savor.” —Library Journal —Booklist , starred review “Korkosz has created a gorgeous paean to the cooking of his home country. . . . Full of recipes that will engage everyone from beginning home cooks to experienced chefs. . . . A truly beautiful cookbook.”—Shelf Awareness —Publishers Weekly “As an award-winning photographer and food blogger, Korkosz has written a beautiful cookbook with gorgeous photographs that will inspire home cooks. This book tweaks old favorites, from an ancient land, to make them healthful, plant-based, and relevant for today’s home cook.”—New York Journal of Books —Olia Hercules, author of Mamushka “This book contains so many memories from my childhood, that just going through the list of dishes puts a smile on my face. Open sandwiches, pancakes with cheese, jagodzianki , and gzik take me back in time to my mom’s morning table and me, a small girl waiting for something delicious to be served. Ogórkowa and pomidorowa are must-tries, as these soups will make you feel the love of all the Polish mothers preparing these for their children coming back from school. I’m so excited for people outside of Poland to learn about oscypek and bryndza , and my favorite twaróg , which is so unique in flavor and consistency that it has no competition in its category. But mostly, I love Michał’s stories. He shares a piece of his talent and his life with us. After reading this book, I want to visit him, sit at his table, and share secrets over something delicious, preferably his Polish cheesecake.”—Marta Greber, creator of What Should I Eat For Breakfast Today “This book is, like the author’s beloved creamy sauerkraut soup, a ‘one of a kind’ pleasure. An ideal and spirited guide to the sweet, sour, satisfying tastes of his native Poland, Michał Korkosz is funny, encouraging (‘Making pierogi is so relaxing’) and joyously indulgent (‘Tons of butter!’) An enjoyable, transporting and inspiring read and a modern view of soulful food that’s firmly rooted in tradition.”—Adam Sachs, former editor-in-chief of Saveur “It’s rare to find a cook and writer who is equally talented at making stunning savory dishes and pulling off perfect baked goods. Through the fluffy pancakes, soulful soups, and delicate pierogis of his past and present, Michał Korkosz gives readers everywhere a beautiful and eye-opening introduction to the bounties of Polish cuisine, plus a few inspiring twists of his own. The colors alone—of golden morning buns and magenta beets—are enough to pull you in to his recipes.”— Stacy Adimando, James Beard Award-winning cookbook author
03/01/2020
Polish food has a reputation for being meat-heavy, but food journalist and photographer Korkosz shows its vegetable-centric side. This charming collection offers both traditional vegetable dishes of Poland, such as creamy cucumber salad and chilled beet soup, and vegetarian versions of the Polish canon such as bigos with smoked plums and lentils and potato-buckwheat goblaki (stuffed cabbage). In addition, there are modern flavors such as buckwheat stir-fry with kale, beans, and goat cheese, as well as a whole chapter on pierogi and dumplings. The desserts and baked goods sections intrigue with cherry liqueur baba and sweet blueberry buns with streusel. Note that while some recipes are vegan, most are not. Throughout, Korkosz elucidates the flavors and customs of Polish cuisine, including the Polish pantry; holiday dishes; and podwieczirek, a sweet meal between lunch and supper. VERDICT A light and delicious take on a cuisine often underrepresented in cooking collections. Vegetarian or not, most cooks will find something to savor.—Devon Thomas, Chelsea, MI
