Customer Reviews

At Hanka's Table

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The book is not only about the struggles of the artist and the family, but one of passion and great heart in its depiction of the ideas and historical references of that family. A cross between a great cookbook and an impassioned personal history, first for her mother and in-laws under the Nazis, then under the Russians and Communism, Hanka Sawka gives us the modern-day Polish diaspora in blunt terms. We reel hearing of Sawka's mother being murdered in Warsaw, her father-in-law spending ten years in prison for being a Polish patriot, her husband banned from making a living - these incidents giving great weight to the unsettling notion that art and beauty (and depth of character) can only come from great struggle. Though this book is infused with recipes and the claim that food is at the center of its existence, it is the passion of the writer in telling of her love for her family, artistic expression and Poland itself that truly inspires. It is like no other "cookbook" I have ever seen.

This book is the first I've read that gives an American reader the woman's
slant on what it was like growing up behind the iron curtain. I really had
no idea of sufferings of Polish people during and after WWII, and the
importance of Polish tradition to the people maintaining a sense of who they
are--and of the importance to women in all of that. All of this was new to
me. I also enjoyed the first-hand story of the experience of a family of
modern refugees, and how they found their way in America. It was a very
inspiring book.

This book is both: a fascinating family life story starting in Poland, behind the Iron Curtain, miraculously emerging into the Open World to continue in pursuit of artistic dreams, and a treasure house of traditional Polish meals enriched during the voyage. The wisdom of the book lies in the combination of both elements based on very deep passion, humanity, peace and love; some of the feelings kept secretly in the bottom of hearts for a long time. Meals, arts, adversities of life, family, dreams, friendships and struggles - these ingredients surprisingly support each other during the years leading finally to the speak-out, which the book really is. You can find them all inside flavored with flavorsome photographs and delightful graphics.

At Hanka's Table introduces a new genre of cookbook and a deeper understanding of how we think about food. In this wonderful autobiographical chronicle of a family, the writer/mother/nurturer expands the lexicon of gourmet cooking to include words such as destiny, courage, rebellion, patriotism, humanizing, poverty and dignity.

In the true symbolism of the Polish Mother, Hanka Sawka is woman, wife, mother, and strength to her family. Young and beautiful in the communist Poland of her birth then marriage to an artist, she scours the markets daily for ingredients and fresh scraps of food and adapts traditional recipes to what she is able to find. Than in a nomadic existence as ex-patriots after the little artist family of three is expelled from its homeland, Hanka learns new traditions and combines them in new ways with the French, Italian, and Turkish base of Polish cooking. Finally, when life and art bring the family to settle in the United States, Hanka entertains her theatre, literary, music, and art world guests with new additions from the American palette.

Throughout their life of survival, Hanka's table is the thread of serenity holding it all together. The delightful scents, colors, and tastes, the care and love in the preparation, the dignity of the presentation, and the pure joy of each meal no matter the circumstances, attest to a philosophy of life that is sustained At Hanka's Table.

Hanka's Table is an interesting mix of recipes - majority of them for Polish food but not only, it contains also politics/history and art.
Hanka Sawka wrote the restrospection of life in Poland during communism. These memories are additionally supported by nice photographs. I can assure you - the memories give the idea of how life is under communism (I was there, I know!)
The recipes are additionally enriched by beautiful art decorations done by Jan Sawka.

Very interesting compendium. This is not a book you just borrow from the library, this is something you would like to have!

I have always loved to cook and read. Through the years, I have accumulated a large number of books - many of which are cookbooks. I cannot tell you how very thrilled I was to discover your book, At Hanka's Table. My own heritage is half Polish on my father's side. Though I have fond memories of Grandma and Grandpa, I have longed to learn more about my Polish roots. I cannot thank you enough for writing your wonderful book!

Your and Jan's story is amazing. It truly shows how strong people can be with love and determination. You are an inspiration, a brightly shining light upon this planet we call Earth. Food, people, and their culture are so intertwined and I love how your story is woven with your recipes. And, I so very much appreciate your inclusion of Polish history in your writings! I love that you have made it possible for me to learn of Poland...to learn not only about the darker times, but to know how beautiful and rich Poland's history is.

I was so very drawn to your husband, Jan's artwork which so enhanced your book. My first impression upon finding your book was how lovely the jacket is with it's colorful presentation! I was happy to enjoy Jan's work throughout At Hanka's Table.

I look forward to trying many of your recipes and adding them to my table regularly. The only problem is deciding which to try first! Thank you so much again for sharing your recipes and your story. At Hanka's Table is a wonderful treasure! Robin L (Romash)

This book is an uplifting tapestry woven from food, hope, creativity, and art, against a backdrop of the fight for Polish freedom.
Diverse themes are sucessfully combined in this book, just as the fresh ingredients are in the authors recipes.

I smiled when I read that a young Polish man must stop his courtship if served the black soup. I whipped up a tasty pot of her winter Bigos (hunters stew) while reading about Jan, Hankas reknowned artist husband, and the Grateful Dead!

The location of Poland on the old historic trade routes have helped give Poland a broadly based cusine that includes French, Italian, and Turkish methods and spicing making the book's easily prepared dishes seem a little more exotic.

North America has welcomed the Polish here since the 1600's, and remember, without the help of Polish Generals Kosciuszko and Pulaski the American Revolution might have turned out a bit differently.

At Hanka's Table is a beautifully illustrated book and inspiring family story that crosses many borders to honor us with a recipe for living and a bit of love.