PRL serwuje: zupa „nic”, schab z mortadeli, sałatka „byle co”
Polish People’s Republic serves: a “nothing” soup, a pork chop of mortadella, an “anything” salad

Author(s): Maciej Waleszczyński
Subject(s): Modern Age, 16th Century, 17th Century, 19th Century, Pre-WW I & WW I (1900 -1919), Interwar Period (1920 - 1939), WW II and following years (1940 - 1949), Post-War period (1950 - 1989), Transformation Period (1990 - 2010)
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: cuisine of the Polish People’s Republic; cookbooks; recipes; housewives
Summary/Abstract: The main aim of the article is to present the culinary side of the Polish People’s Republic. What was eaten and how? Did the shortage of meat trigger the necessity to become a vegetarian or vegan? What did the average citizen of the Polish People’s Republic spend his money on? The primary source in this case were cookbooks. Not only did they present recipes, but they were important guides for women aspiring to be rational and resourceful housewives. Totalitarian power wanted to control its citizens also in terms of cuisine. Despite the difficulties and problems, cleverness and appropriate strategies allowed people to create simple, quick and, from the present perspective, sophisticated dishes.

• Details
• Contents