Polish Christmas Eve Wigilia Recipes and Customs

carp

🥗Healthier: trout

💰Cheaper: cod

Trout is leaner and more readily available.

beetroot

🥗Healthier: sweet potato

💰Cheaper: carrots

Sweet potato offers similar sweetness with added nutrients.

poppy seeds

🥗Healthier: chia seeds

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Chia seeds provide omega-3s and are easier to find.

sauerkraut

🥗Healthier: fresh cabbage

💰Cheaper: pickled vegetables

Fresh cabbage is less processed and can be more affordable.

Introduce the traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner, explaining its significance.

Discuss the first course, herring, and show different types including marinated in olive oil and vinegar.

Serve herring with baby potatoes as the first course.

Introduce clear beet soup (barszcz) as the next course, mentioning common soups served during Christmas Eve dinner.

Explain how to make beet soup using concentrate and vegetable broth instead of traditional methods.

Rehydrate dried mushrooms in boiled water for a few hours and reserve the water for flavor.

Combine the reserved mushroom water with beet concentrate and vegetable broth to make the soup.

Prepare mushroom dumplings (ushka) by mixing 2 cups of flour, 2 eggs, and 1.5 dollops of sour cream in a mixer to create a soft dough.

Roll out the dough and prepare the filling using rehydrated mushrooms and chopped onion.

Fill the dumpling dough with the mushroom mixture, folding them to form small dumplings.

Boil the dumplings in water until they float to the top, indicating they are done.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens