Traditional Polish Christmas Eve (Wigilia) Dinner Menu
Christmas Wafer (Oplatek)
Twelve Fruit Compote
Mushroom Soup with Boiled Potatoes
Felicia's (or Aunt Mary's) Kapusta with Boiled Potatoes
Pickled Herring
Pierogi: Plum, Potato and Cheese, and Sauerkraut
Aunt Kay's Rice Casserole
Kasha
Adam's Poppyseed Roll, Barbara"s Nut Roll, Aunt Hattie's Chruscki, and your favorite Christmas Cookies
Preparation:
December 23 make pierogi and Poppyseed/Nut Rolls
Make Kapusta and Kasha.
December 24th, Christmas Eve Dinner
2 p.m. Start the compote
3 p.m. Set table with crisp, white table cloth, small plate with oplatek (add straw if available). Place only white candles on the table. (These were a must forAunt Sophie, I was scolded once for using a green tablecloth, I have used white ever since!)
Set out nuts and candies to nibble on
4 p.m. Peel potatoes for Mushroom Soup and Kapusta
Make Rice and apple casserole and set out Christmas Cookie Tray
5 p.m. Boil Potatoes, warm Kapusta, warm Kasha, Place Herring into serving dish.
Start frying pierogi. Make coffee. Set out sour cream. Greet guests.
About 5:30-5:45 p.m., watch for the first star.
Gather family at table, share Oplatek, breaking off three pieces, wishing each guest Health, Wealth, and Happiness in the New Year. Serve dinner.
