Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

Written by PFA Cultural Commissioner, Larry Kozlowski

In Poland, welcoming with bread and salt is an expression of hospitality. Bread is treated by all Slavic peoples with respect, appreciation, and thanksgiving (Polish: Chleb). It is a part of every meal and shared on special holy days and holidays, including the sharing of unleavened bread on Christmas Eve (Oplatek). The lyrics to an old Polish folk song from Kujawy remind us, “Mamy soli, mamy chleba, mamy wszystko, co potrzeba,” or “We have salt, we have bread, we have everything we need.”

As we celebrate the many holidays ahead with peace, love, joy, forgiveness, and sharing – let us show hospitality to our family and friends with a gift of bread.

This simple-batter bread has only two ingredients. Self-rising white flour and milk are mixed together. No rising, no kneading, just a quick stir and it’s into the oven to bake.

Simple-Batter Bread

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1 ¼ cups whole milk

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Line an 8 x 4-inch baking loaf pan with parchment paper.
3. In a large mixing bowl, add flour and milk.
4. Use a whisk to mix the two together, whisking until no flour lumps remain. Be careful not to overmix as it can make your bread tough.
5. Pour batter into prepared baking pan.
6. Bake bread for about 35-40 minutes until done. Bread loaf should be light brown on top, but will not develop as much color as your typical yeast bread. When you apply pressure on the surface of the bread it should bounce back and a toothpick inserted should come out clean. Let bread cool fully in the pan before removing and slicing.

Make this simple bread with LOVE and the traditional Polish wish of “Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia” or “Be Joyful World – God Is Born.” The true “Bread Of Life.”