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Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II, born Karol Wojtyła in Poland in 1920, reigned from 1978 to 2005, one of the longest-serving popes, and was a towering figure in the 20th century, credited with helping end communism in Eastern Europe through his support for Poland’s Solidarity movement. A charismatic traveler, he visited over 129 countries, canonized numerous saints, and survived a 1981 assassination attempt, later forgiving his attacker. His conservative theology opposed contraception and women’s ordination, and his "Theology of the Body" and youth outreach (World Youth Day) left a lasting mark. Canonized in 2014, his legacy blends global influence with traditional faith.

Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II

Featured Dishes from Pope John Paul II

Apfelkuchen

Apfelkuchen

An apple pie is a pie in which the principal filling is apples. Apple pie is often served with whipped cream, ice cream , custard or cheddar cheese. It is generally double-crusted, with pastry both above and below the filling; the upper crust may be solid or latticed (woven of crosswise strips). The bottom crust may be baked separately ("blind") to prevent it from getting soggy. Tarte Tatin is baked with the crust on top, but served with it on the bottom. Originating in the 14th century in England, apple pie recipes are now a standard part of cuisines in many countries where apples grow. Apple pies are an unofficial symbol of the United States and one of its signature comfort foods.

Kremówka Papieska

Kremówka Papieska

Papal cream cake, puff pastry with pastry cream

Fleischvögel

Fleischvögel

Rolled meat, made with pork, veal, beef

Pieczeń wołowa

Pieczeń wołowa

Pierogi

Pierogi

Pierogi are filled dumplings made by wrapping unleavened dough around a filling and cooked in boiling water. They are occasionally flavored with a savory or sweet garnish. Typical fillings include potato, cheese, quark, sauerkraut, ground meat, mushrooms, fruits, or berries. Savory pierogi are often served with a topping of sour cream, fried onions, or both. Pierogi varieties are associated with the cuisines of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Dumplings most likely originated in Asia and came to Europe via trade in the Middle Ages. However, the dish itself dates back to at least 1682, when Poland's first cookbook, Compendium ferculorum, albo Zebranie potraw, was published. The widely used English name pierogi was derived from Polish. In Ukraine and parts of Canada they are known under their Ukrainian name – varenyky, or, in some dialects, pyrohy. Pierogi are also popular in modern-day American cuisine where they are sometimes known under different local names.

Kluski

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Kluski

Kluski is a generic Polish name for all kinds of soft dumplings, usually without a filling. There are many different types of kluski, differing in basic ingredients and preparation method. Kluski are distinct from pierogi and stand-alone pasta dishes.

Zasmażana kapusta

Side, Snack, Appetizer

Zasmażana kapusta

Zasmażana kapusta, known to many Polish people simply as kapusta [kah-POOS-tah] , is a Polish dish of braised or stewed sauerkraut or cabbage, with bacon, mushroom and onion or garlic. It is seasoned with salt, pepper and sometimes bay leaf, caraway seeds, sugar, paprika and apples. The traditional dish is usually served along with boiled potatoes as an accompaniment for pork chops, pork cutlets, other pork dishes, veal, or game meats. In some homes, kapusta is served very thin, almost like a soup. In others, its ingredients are thickened with flour or cooked until it becomes nearly as thick as mashed potatoes. It has been described as less sour in flavor compared to German sauerkraut. Cabbage, the primary ingredient, is often pickled, like sauerkraut, which is amplified with a mix of mushrooms and onions and meat—fatty pork—either rib meat, bacon, or occasionally smoked kielbasa. Almost always the dish contains a kind of roux. A chapter of Herta Müller's novel The Hunger Angel (Atemschaukel) deals with the protagonist's relationship to kapusta, which comes to represent both his life as a prisoner and his hopes for freedom.