Polish Home Comforts Food with Ren Behan
Ren Behan, host of Polish Home Comforts, is a British citizen whose parents were both born in Poland and relocated to the UK before starting their family. Ren grew up with a very strong connection to her Polish heritage keeping it very much alive within her own family.
Ren cooks the traditional Polish recipes her mother used to cook for her own family however she has always been interested in researching and recording these recipes. Recently Ren published her first cookbook Wild Honey and Rye – Modern Polish Recipes (you can see my review of the book:- Book Review: Wild Honey & Rye (Modern Polish Recipes) by Ren Behan.), she has visited Poland and become a polish food ambassador.
I am very lucky to call Ren a friend and as we live in the same town we can meet for coffee or lunch at local establishments. From time to time Ren will make lunch at her house and recently showed me how to make the Polish dumpling called Pierogi (see my review of the morning:- Mid-morning Snack of Pierogi – Ren Behan ).
Ren’s latest venture was to hold a supper club featuring her food from the book as well as highlighting the connection between Poland and India. The venue for the supper club was Darjeeling Express in trendy Covent Garden in London.
The menu was from the cookbook. On arrival we had Polish Cream Cheese and Radish on Rye along with Sour Cucumber Soup (v). My first thought was that the soup sounded weird but let me tell you is was absolutely delicious and I am looking forward to making this from the book.
The starter we had Pierogi Ruskie with cream cheese and potatoes, confit onions (v). I have long been a fan of Ren’s pierogi! They are a staple of Polish family food and can be either filled with sweet or savoury fillings.
Main Course we were served Veal Meatballs with a wild mushroom sauce. On the side we had a Dill mash + ‘Mizeria’ cucumber and sour cream salad + Darjeeling Express’ Beetroot Raita.
The vegetarian main course was Cabbage Rolls with cracked barley and wild mushrooms.
By the time we were served dessert we were all so full up from the sumptuous food but somehow found room for the Poppyseed and Plum Cake with Darjeeling Syrup and Cardamon Cream! This couple of mouthfuls of light cake was just what was needed to finish off an awesome meal!
The inspiration for this meal and the link with Darjeeling Express was the special relationship between Poland and India. This was a moment in history when during World War II when thousands of Poles, survivors of the Soviet Union’s calculated cruelty landed on the shores of India. Following the Soviet Unions’ joining of the Allies the Polish prisoners were sent packing, some making their way to India.
The people were welcomed and given refuge in the Gujarat Province. Although some of their beloved Polish foods were not available they soon learned to adapt to life without a lot of beef and vegetables they had never heard of.
The families and children who survived never forgot the kindness of the Indian people. This supperclub was a tribute to them.
The supperclub was such a lovely opportunity for those of us in London to enjoy Ren’s Polish food, which I really enjoyed having loved her book when it came out. Lovely to catch up with you there too.
It was a lovely evening wasn’t it! Nice to see you too.
Ren’s food was amazing that night and it was a real joy to help her out in the kitchen, so glad you enjoyed the evening. I hope one day I can learn to make Pierogi too!
It was such a lovely, relaxed evening with fantastic food. Thanks for doing your part!
Thank you for your very kind words.
I wish I could be there and taste Ren’s amazing food!
Ren’s book Wild Honey and Rye is a great way to taste her exceptional food at home!
What a delicious spread and very beautifully presented.
Ren’s food is always fantastic – her cookbook Wild Honey & Rye is a great way to learn about Polish food.
All the dishes look delicious. What a lovely way to show case Ren’s book and recipes. I wasn’t aware of the Polish Gujarati connection. Found that interesting and touching. Would love to know more about it too.
Ren’s cookbook is a beautiful collection of her family recipes.
Wow. The menu looks fabulous and yummy.
It was a lovely evening and the food was amazing!
I really don’t know much about Polish cooking at all. I have made pierogi once before and have tried some delicious bread from the Polish Bakery. We had Polish builders working for us earlier this year and they just seemed to eat chicken and chips!!! I’d love to know more about this cuisine though so will look out for Ren’s book.
Polish food and other Eastern European food is so good and healthy.
I love Polish food and all the dishes you had look sensational. Ren’s supperclub looks like it would have been an amazing evening and dinner.
I love the Eastern European food – so healthy and delicious!
Ren’s food looks amazing. Her cookbook is fantastic too. Lucky you to have it made by the chef herself.
I love Ren’s food, especially her Pierogi and Bigos!! I am lucky we live near each other as well.
What an awesome experience!! And now I really want those veal meatballs AND the cabbage rolls. Everything looks just fabulous!
All of the food served that evening was truly delicious!!
Ren’s food looks truly amazing, I had no idea you lived in the same town!
Yes, I am lucky to live so close. Ren is a great support!