A Typical Polish "Snack"

Saturday night we did not have to cook.

Were we going somewhere for dinner, you ask? No, we were going to visit my grandparents at around 8pm. Now, obviously, they would have eaten by now so how could I be so certain that we wouldn't need to eat? Because my grandmother is Polish. In a typical European grandmother way, there is never a visit where I do not leave stuffed with food and showered with love.

We arrive, give my grandparents a hug and my grandma a kiss and she asks "Are you hungry? Did you want something to eat?" I respond with "well, I won't say no to food from you!" and it's true. The act of feeding us is gesture of love and caring, and my act of eating and enjoying the food is my reciprocation of the love and showing her how much I appreciate her.

In essence, the meal is always the same and I cherish knowing that. I find great comfort in knowing exactly what will be put out. A plate of cheese with Havarti, Swiss, brie, Laughing Cow squares (these are a newer addition). A plate of cold cuts: German salami (which is the only one I ever eat, despite my grandma always asking if I would like something else), veal loaf, lean back bacon, liverwurst (again, for some reason, my grandma always likes to ask if I would like some, even though she knows the response to follow is a head tilt with an eye roll). Fresh strawberries and grapes in big bowls are a usual staple. Cracker, if I take them out. The most delicious, fresh, soft, chewy rye bread from City Bread. The small loaf. Pickles. Butter. Butter being the most important part of this meal. Again, while my grandma knows that the picky little girl has changed ways in many respects, she still will not butter the bread of her sandwich (much to the grandmothers dismay, including deep sighs). Butter for me is eaten on the rye, but separate from the meat and cheese. I don't care if it "all ends up in the same place", it take a different train to get there!



Babcia's Typical Spread



After dinner, which is referred to dismissively as "just a snack", there is cake (lately the cake of choice is M&M chocolate marble truffle cake...this used to be Black Forrest Cake from Safeway) and ice cream. Ice cream is something of a religion on this household. It is eaten every day, after every dinner, by both my grandparents. There are always at least 3 choices, and in the upright freezer kept in the bedroom, there are often 3 more unopened tubs, waiting. Vanilla cherry, chocolate cheesecake, caramel chunks, etc. My grandmother loves it and I can tell how happy she is when I ask if she would like a bowl as well and we all eat it together. That smile that comes out for a simple bowl of ice cream that she has after every dinner makes me so happy. Simple pleasures. It's what life is about.