Domku Café and Cauliflower with Ham Au Gratin

Witamy!  Laura and I had a very nice Sunday supper last night at Domku Café in the Petworth section of Washington DC.  They feature Slavic and Scandinavian comfort foods, which needless to say is an eclectic combination.  But it works…the food was great, the service was friendly, and the proprietor was excited that we enjoyed her excellent Polish recipes.  In fact, she volunteered to host a book signing event in the spring.  We sampled two different pierogi,  potato pancakes, cabbage rolls, stuffed crepes, and had no room for the beet cake – their spin take on carrot cake.  That’s not one I had heard of before and now wish I had tried it.  YUM!

We’re working hard on last minute changes to the manuscript - no matter how many times we proof the text, we always find something new to fix.  But we’re almost done!!

The recipe for today, from The Art of Polish Cooking is Cauliflower with Ham, Au Gratin. I’ve not always been a fan of cauliflower, in fact I really prefer to “enhance” its flavor with other flavors, in this case ham and a sauce.  This is quite good and not hard to prepare.

Cauliflower with Ham Au Gratin
Kalafior zapiekany z szynkq
Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 medium cauliflower
1/2 lb. ham, diced
3 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. flour
3/4 cup milk
3 eggs, separated
Salt
1 tbsp. dill leaves

Cook the cauliflower in salted water until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and divide into small parts. Arrange in a buttered baking dish and add the diced ham.

Heat the butter, stir in the flour and blend. Stir in the milk. Cook over moderate heat, stirring until the sauce is smooth and thickened. Remove from the heat, add egg yolks, salt and mix. Beat egg whites until stiff and then add to sauce. Pour the sauce into the baking dish. Sprinkle with dill. Bake in a hot 400 degree oven for 30 minutes.

© Copyright 1968 Alina Zeranska. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, or redistributed without written permission from LoraPeet Ventures LLC

The Polish phrase of the day is Ale Smaczne – loosely translated to mean: “wow – this tastes great.”  (Pronounce phonetically:  all-leh smach-neh).