Cytrynowka -> The Kozak Family Nectar

Cytrynowka reminds me of home back in Poland and the large, loooong, and loud family dinner parties. 

The experience:  It is served small and innocent in a shot glass, chilled to the texture of a jelly. The color is of pure gold with the freshness of a lemon; the flavor…mmmm sweet yet sour with a hint of cheering fermentation to put you in the mood. I could safely admit that it is a bit dangerous.

This golden drink quickly became the family icon and gained its popularity among the various aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends in Poland and around the World. Every time I was going back home to visit my family I had a list of orders for a bottle of Cytrynowka. And so I have decided to master the recipe and make it no matter where I am on this beautiful planet. Here goes the scoop:

1410 - History or just good old Polish home made booze?

1410 is the year during which the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, led by the king Władysław II Jagiełło, won the battle against the knights of the Teutonic Order. This was one of the most important battles in Medieval Europe, and the largest battle to involve knights.

Curiously enough, 1410 is also a recipe for the home made Polish booze called "bimber", think of it as home made vodka just stronger. Not for amateurs I would say. How is that for a tool to teach lazy students their country's history? So here is how it goes:

1 kg sugar

4 lt water

10 dekagram yeast

Of course, you still have to go through the whole distillation process etc. and really, you are better off buying a nice little bottle of Żubrówka or Belveder :)

Poland meets Mexico -> The Wild Boar

From the thick Polish forests to the warm coasts and deserts of Mexico, there is always a way to combine cultures and their flavors and make something special. It is even more special when you can share it with the people you love. In the case of this delicacy, I teamed up with my dad, the Wild Boar expert. He made the meat and I was busy with the chile sauce and tortillas. 

Steamy kitchen, glass of wine, good company, wild stories, and mutual teaching was more than I could have asked for during my last visit to Poland. On top of that, call me biased, but OMG it was too good to be true. I literary came back the next day for a refill.