So when Polana asked me to review there products I was intrigued. When the package arrived I received blood sausage int h package. I know really it does not sounds well appetizing. Let me tell you I was really surprised how much we loved it. My family came to visit, my father was 1/2 polish so I grew up with a very polish last name. and Kielbasi was a large part of family meals always served as an pre-meal meat for most holidays.
My family enjoys many of the polish food. Blood sausage is not something I remember having as a child, so I was not sure what to expect while trying.
After Goggling I found out : Blood Sausage is a generic name for cooking blood or dried blood with a filler until it is thick enough to congeal when cooled. Then they add filters to the meat to such as grains: wheat rice, barley ect are added to the meat.
The Polana web sites recommends you cook the blood sausage (Kaszanka) slow allowing the casings to stay in tact. Ok so I forgot to read the web site, l when I cooked the Blood sausage I cut the link in to pieces and and place in the frying pan, The casing pulled away the the sausage meat fell in the pan. I cooked slowly allowing the meat to get a a crispy edge.
The result: My mother and I thoroughly enjoyed it- Yummy-O we both had a hard time stepping away from the plate. The grains in that was in the Polana Blood Sausage was savory and flavorful. The Barley gave the sausage a mild corn beef hash consistence with out the heavy salt. Both of us said we actually enjoyed it more than corn beef hash. So I would say defiantly try out the Poland Blood sausage. Their claim to be the best Kasanka is true. I had it the next day, with eggs on top and I was truly happy.
When food makes you happy that is a good thing.
Other products we were able to try:
The Polana Kielbasa: The Kielbasa was fantastic full of meat not fatty. Also not salty, with a nice mild smoke pepper balance. It was a kielbasa I would be proud to share in my home any time of year. My husband, father and son were all large fans of the Polana Kielbasa. I have cooked more since the 1st trial day with my parents and everyone asked for seconds. I really felt the quality of the meet was far superior than the Kielbasa you find in your local market and woth the extra cost.
My Memories of homemade Potato and Cheese Pierogi are from when I was in college a had a roommate’s Polish Mother who made us fresh pierogi when every they visited our apartment. She would bring us bags of these special doughy treats which we would ration out until the next time they visited us again. The Polana Potato and Cheese Pierogi brought thos memories back, yummy goodness. They cost $8.99 for 12 in a package and they come frozen Very east to prepare, thaw and place in skillet with some butter. I loaded them up with onions, because what is a pierogi with out an onion.
Polana: Peach cheese cake : according to the Polana This truly authentic Polish cheesecake is made with a fresh cheese called Quark (or twaróg). Quark is a fresh Eastern European cheese that is much lower in fat content (similar to yogurt) than cream cheese. In addition, Quark cheese has no added salt. The result: The cheese cake was a different texture from the traditional NY style cheesecake, it had a coconut texture to the cake but I found it was flavorful and called me back for more over the course of the evening.
How did the Polana Package arrive? I was impressed it came in a large Styrofoam cooler packing with materials not allowing for sliding during delivery All the food was frozen solid with dry ice and ready to be placed int he fridge. Check it out here:
The also offer a Stuffed Cabbage and other prepared foods.. I have to say I cant wait to try the Hunters Stew next week it take 2-3 days of cooking time to make it.
So I can highly recommend Polanas Meats they are worth ordering for you family with high quality food your entire family will enjoy.
Disclosure: I received Polanas product in exchange for this post. All the opinions in this post are honest and my own.