Traditional Polish Vegetable Salad Recipe – with a Twist!

There are some things you grow up eating that will forever remain a part of your life no matter where you go or what you are doing. This traditional Polish vegetable salad, also known as Jarzynowa Sałatka, might not be revolutionary, but it is a staple in many Polish homes growing up. It’s filling, relatively nutritious, tastes yummy and is easy to take with you to work!

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

If you aren’t sure where to buy the mustard or paprika I recommend, here are Amazon links* to buy them online:

Kosciusko Spicy Brown Mustard (click here)
Hungarian Paprika (click here)

dzioenna mixed veggies

Follow these steps:

Vegetables:

  1. Prepare your vegetables to be cooked. It’s best when they are chopped into small pieces, like cubes.
    Tip: If you use canned vegetables, this saves you time!
  2. Put your vegetables in a pot and cook until soft.
  3. After your vegetables have boiled, drain the water out.
  4. Leave your vegetables out on the counter to cool to room temperature.
    Tip: If you are in a hurry, you can run your vegetables under cold water. Mix them occasionally. Once they are cold, make sure all of the water is drained out. You can use a colander while running them under water to help make this faster!
    dzioenna eggs and apples
    Eggs:
  5. Place the eggs in a pot, fill with water and cook on high until the water boils.
  6. Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat and keep the eggs in the pot. Cover the pot with a lid and place on a cool burner.
  7. Let the eggs stand in the hot water for 12 minutes.
    Tip: This website has some tips on making perfect hard-boiled eggs.
  8. Take the pot to the sink and run cold water into it. You want to make the eggs cool to the touch so you can handle them.
  9. Once the eggs are cold, you should peel them and rinse to make sure there are no pieces of shell left on them.


    Prepare and Mix in the Remaining Ingredients:
  10. Place the cold vegetables in a large bowl.
  11. Grate the eggs over the vegetables.
  12. Mix the ingredients together.
  13. Grate the apples over the vegetables and eggs.
    Tip: You can leave the skin on, but if you don’t want the skin it’s OK to peel it off first.
  14. Mix the ingredients together.
  15. Add the mayonnaise.
  16. Add the spicy brown mustard.
    Tip: If you aren’t comfortable using spicy mustard, it’s OK to use one that isn’t spicy.
  17. Add as much salt, pepper and paprika as you’d like.
    Tip: If you’re not sure how much to add, start with a little, mix the salad up and try it. It’s always better to add gradually and taste. Remember, you can’t take salt out after you add it!
  18. Mix all of the ingredients up (by hand) until you see that everything is nicely combined.
    Tip: Don’t over-mix or your vegetables will start to get mushy. You aren’t making baby food! Unless you are making baby food. If that’s the case…you’ll probably make some tweeks to this recipe and let me know how it goes!
  19. Pour your salad into a new bowl. Garnish with parsley flakes (dry or fresh) and paprika.
  20. Store in the fridge for an hour before serving to make sure all of the flavors have time to combine forces.
  21. Enjoy your salad and Enjoy Life!

What’s the twist? 

Traditional Polish Vegetable Salad often includes pickles and/or onions. This recipe is for those who do not like pickles or onions! It also adds paprika to the recipe.

dzioenna vegetable salad

*Full disclosure: Dzioenna is an affiliate of Amazon and will receive compensation from Amazon for any purchases made through links on this site.

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Easy Ham & Egg Sandwich with Pepper Jack Cheese

The other day, I made a super quick and easy breakfast that tasted great and kept everyone full for hours.

hampepperjackeggsandwich2

Ham and Egg Sandwich with Pepper Jack Cheese (2 servings)

Ingredients:

  • Three slices of Virginia Honey Ham
  • Quarter to Half (to your taste) stick of Butter
  • Three Large Eggs
  • Two slices of Pepper Jack Cheese
  • Two slices of Rye Bread
  • Pinch of Salt
  • Sprinkle of Paprika
  • Sprinkle of Ground Black Pepper

Steps:

  1. Cut the ham into small pieces and put on a cold pan
  2. Slice up to a quarter stick of butter and put pieces around the pan
  3. Turn the pan on at medium heat
  4. Toast two slices of bread and put each slice on a separate plate
  5. (Optional) Spread some butter on each slice of bread
  6. Mix the ham on the pan
  7. Put one slice of cheese on each slice of bread
  8. Add the salt, paprika and pepper to the ham
  9. Break the eggs open directly over the pan and add the contents to the ham, throwing the shells away (gardening tip: you can add the shells to your compost if you have one)
  10. Gently mix everything on the pan just so the ham is entirely covered by eggs
  11. Put a lid on the pan
  12. Slice up some of your favorite fruit and put on each plate. I chose grapes and an orange!
  13. When bubbles start to form in the pan, take the lid off and use a spatula to split the contents in half. Gently flip each half over. Leave uncovered. Turn the burner off.
  14. In 30-60 seconds remove eggs from the pan and put over the cheese on each slice of bread
  15. Enjoy with a cup of your favorite tea or glass of milk!

Delicious Breakfast Fruit Bowl with Flax and Chia Seeds

Today I introduced my husband to flax and chia seeds. To his surprise, he actually liked the breakfast fruit bowl I made each of us on this sunny winter morning. He doesn’t like grapes or blackberries much– so I snuck those in too!

The entire bowl is just under 270 calories and kept us full and energized for several hours.

Here’s the simple and quick recipe:

  • Banana – 3/4 of a whole banana
  • Blackberries – 1/4 cup
  • Black Seedless Grapes – 1/2 cup
  • Golden Delicious Apple – 1/2 an apple
  • Chia Seeds – 1.5 teaspoons
  • Flax Seeds – 2 teaspoons
  • Lemon Juice – 2 teaspoons

Tip : Cut the apple in small cubes and toss in lemon juice before adding into the bowl. The lemon juice prevents the apple from browning.

  1. Put apple pieces and grapes into a bowl
  2. Slice the banana and add on top of the apple and grapes
  3. Add the blackberries
  4. Sprinkle Chia and Flax seeds over the fruit
  5. Enjoy with great company!

My husband doesn’t drink milk. Seeing as chia seeds are a good source of calcium, it’s a great addition to fruit in the morning or shakes after a workout. Chia seeds also have a lot of potassium and antioxidants. Potassium is important for muscle strength, metabolism, blood pressure, as well as heart and kidney health. Since it helps with stress, chia is a perfect addition to any meal before I make my husband go shopping with me!

Flaxseed is great for stabilizing blood sugar and could help lower cholesterol. There’s nothing worse than craving sweets or an unhealthy snack a couple hours after breakfast!