That Polish Girl Catering

Polish filled dumplings made by wrapping unleavened dough around a savoury or sweet filling and cooking in boiling water. They are then pan-fried before serving.

Zupa ogórkowa is a traditional Polish dill pickle soup prepared with Polish-style brine-cured pickles. Some versions use standard dill pickles or kosher dill pickles rather than the specific Polish variety. Primary ingredients include broth, pickles and potato.

Kapusta is braised sauerkraut or cabbage, bacon, mushroom and onion, or garlic. It is seasoned with salt, pepper and sometimes bay leaf, sugar, paprika and apples.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Outside of Pulaski Days, where does one find homemade chruscikis or lamb cakes on a menu in Grand Rapids?

Laura Szczepanek decided it was about time to answer that question.

Szczepanek, who has been catering Polish food since she was “knee high to my Busia” is opening an authentic Polish restaurant in the coming weeks on (where else?) the West Side of Grand Rapids.

The Polka Pops Café, located at 634 Stocking Ave. NW, will soft launch with limited hours in the former Marc Stewart’s Guest House space on Nov. 11, with a formal grand opening celebration following the holidays in January.

“Nobody around here is doing Polish food the right way,” she said, although there are Polish meats available at several West Side markets.

“There are so many people that love Polish food. During Christmas I just get so busy,” she said. “There’s a huge demand for it or I wouldn’t even attempt it.

MLive