Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday. Whatever you celebrate and whatever you want to call it, today comes down to the same thing … the day you stuff your face in preparation for the coming 40 days of lenten fasting. To me, first and foremost, today is Paczki Day! Oh happy happy day!
It’s a polish thing and I highly recommend you all become polish, at least for today. Although paczki appear to be regular ‘ol jelly donuts, that is where you would be oh so very wrong. Paczki are made from a rich dough containing eggs, butter and/or lard, sugar and usually milk. Traditionally, the reason for making paczki was to use up all the rich ingredients in the house, because they were forbidden to be consumed due to Catholic fasting practices during Lent. The traditional fillings are stewed plum jam and wild rose hip jam though they’re commonly found in these parts in a variety of fruit fillings (apricot is my favorite), custard and cheese.
So here’s the thing … paczki have a special place in my heart. Maybe next year I’ll attempt these myself but today I copped out and went to a local bakery. I had good intentions. I went out for 2 and came home with 12. It’s the polish girl in me. Good thing I’m heading to a friends house later.
Now then, I’ll admit I had three of these babies for lunch. Gluttony or honoring my polish heritage? I’m absolutely going with the later.
STRESSCAKE 
in France we also make “beignets” (donuts) for Mardi Gras… before we go through Lent. Love it!
oh beignets! Well, fried dough of any kind is damn good I must say. Stick something in the middle and hot damn.