‘Borrowed’ Christmas delicacy called ‘ule’ – recipe
The sweet praline-flavoured delicacy with an alcoholic filling. To make them, you need a special beehive mould which you fill with any cream. There can be lots of ideas and flavourings, but here’s a version that is probably the most popular and well-loved nutty hives.
The recipe is super easy, does not take long and the effects are incredible. Despite ‘hives’ are not a traditional Polish delicacy, they became extremely popular among Poles. They are usually prepared on a special occasion, like Christmas.
Ingredients:
- 250 grams / 8,8 oz of ground walnuts
- 250 grams / 8,8 oz of icing sugar
- 1 egg white
- 250 ml / 8.5 fl oz of unsweetened milk
- 1 packet of eggnog cream
- 2 glasses (approx. 60 ml / 2 fl oz) of spirit
- Wafers
Preparation:
1. The day before, make a paste of the eggnog cream, milk, and spirit.
2. Place in the fridge overnight.
3. Cut circles out of the wafers.
4. Combine walnuts with egg white and icing sugar.
5. Make balls out of the walnut mixture and coat them with icing sugar.
6. Place in the mould and make a hole in the middle.
7. Put the cream inside and place the whole on the wafer.
8. Carefully remove the mould.
Enjoy!
YouTuber Budda and Partner Released on Bail: Massive Sums Involved
Today, well-known YouTuber Kamil L., popularly known as “Budda,” and his partner Aleksandra, left custody after posting substantial bail amounts of PLN 2 million and 1 million, respectively.
Allegations of Illegal Lotteries
Budda and nine others, including his partner—whom he refers to as Grażyna—face serious allegations of tax fraud and organizing illegal online gambling activities. Despite the charges, they have denied any wrongdoing.
In October, the District Court in Szczecin ordered the temporary detention of Kamil L. and four others for three months. The investigation began following a complaint by the National Revenue Administration, which suspected the group of operating a scheme to defraud the state of VAT and organize unlicensed lotteries online.
Authorities, with the assistance of the General Inspector of Financial Information, have frozen over PLN 90 million in accounts linked to the group. Assets seized include 51 luxury cars valued at approximately PLN 38 million, properties worth an estimated PLN 30 million, as well as gold bars and cash.
Charges Against the Group
Prosecutors from the West Pomeranian branch of the National Prosecutor’s Office have accused Kamil L. and his associates of leading and participating in an organized crime group. The charges include involvement in unlicensed gambling, issuing fraudulent VAT invoices, and money laundering.
Investigators allege that the group profited from lottery ticket sales while bypassing gambling regulations. The VAT fraud charges stem from falsified invoices that did not reflect genuine economic transactions.
The money laundering accusations involve disguising illicit earnings as legitimate business activities. Funds were reportedly transferred under the guise of loans between accounts held by the suspects to obscure their origin, with some funds sent abroad.
The alleged illegal activities span from October 2021 to October 2023. The investigation remains ongoing, with prosecutors aiming to unravel the full extent of the operation.
Boxdel Responds to Wardęga’s Accusations Amid Pandora Gate Scandal
Boxdel releases a video addressing allegations made by Wardęga in the Pandora Gate scandal, accusing other YouTubers of manipulation and highlighting hypocrisy in Poland’s influencer scene.
Michał “Boxdel” Baron, a well-known Polish YouTuber and co-founder of the Fame MMA federation, has released a long-awaited video responding to allegations made by Sylwester Wardęga in the Pandora Gate scandal. The video serves as Boxdel’s attempt to clear his name after accusations of inappropriate behavior with minors, which have sparked widespread controversy.
The Pandora Gate Scandal and “Echo of Pandora”
The Pandora Gate scandal erupted in 2023, exposing instances of inappropriate sexual behavior by Polish YouTubers towards minors. Sylwester Wardęga, a popular content creator, played a key role in bringing the issue to light, presenting evidence and accusing creators such as Stuart “Stuu” Burton of engaging in inappropriate relationships with underage girls.
In a follow-up video titled Echo of Pandora, Wardęga expanded the allegations to include other YouTubers, including Michał “Boxdel” Baron. He accused Boxdel of sending inappropriate messages to underage girls and allegedly covering up knowledge of Stuu’s behavior.
Freak Fights in Poland: Fame MMA and Clout MMA
Boxdel is best known as the co-founder of Fame MMA, a popular freak fight federation in Poland where celebrities and influencers engage in boxing and MMA matches. Fame MMA has attracted millions of viewers and become a cultural phenomenon.
Wardęga has been allegedly linked to Clout MMA, a competing federation. In his video, Boxdel suggested that Wardęga’s actions might be motivated by an effort to promote Clout MMA and tarnish the reputation of Fame MMA.
Traditional Polish Uszka, but this time with cabbage and mushrooms – recipe
One of the most popular and traditional at the same time Polish dishes for Christmas is beetroot soup, the so-called borscht with ‘uszka’ called Polish ravioli. Poles love them not only with meat but also with cabbage and mushrooms. Today, we have a traditional recipe for ‘uszka’ with cabbage and mushrooms. They taste super fantastic.
Cabbage and mushrooms stuffing:
– 300 – 400 g/ 10.6 – 14.1 oz sauerkraut,
– approximately 40 g/ 1.4 oz dried mushrooms,
– 500 g/ 17.6 oz champignons,
– 1 small onion,
– oil, salt, black and white pepper,
– pinch of marjoram.
1. Place cabbage in a strainer and rinse twice with cool water.
2. Drain and place in a pot.
3. Add 1 cup of water and bring to a boil.
4. Cook for about 45 minutes until tender and then drain.
5. Squeeze the cooled cabbage well and chop it finely.
6. Soak dried mushrooms in 1 cup of lukewarm water for about 1/2 hour, then cook in the same water until soft for about 1/2 hour.
7. Rinse the champignons quickly, dry and slice.
8. Steam them in a hot frying pan.
9. Then add 2 tablespoons of oil and sauté adding salt and black ground pepper to taste.
10. Dice finely the onion and sauté in 2 tbsp of oil in a separate large pan.
11. Chop finely champignons and drained mushrooms.
12. Add chopped mushrooms and cabbage to the pan with the onion.
13. Mix it well and stew it together.
14. Season to taste with salt, white pepper, and a pinch of marjoram.
Dough:
– 2 cups of wheat flour,
– 1 flat teaspoon of salt,
– 1 teaspoon butter or 1 tablespoon oil,
– 1 cup hot water.
1. Sift the flour onto the pastry board making a hill. Make a ‘hollow’ in it and add salt and oil.
2. Gradually pour in the hot water, while mixing the ingredients with the other hand.
3. Knead the dough into a ball (add a little more flour, if the dough is too thin, or if the dough is too dry and hard, add a little warm water).
4. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it is soft and elastic.
5. Cover with a cloth and set aside for about 20 – 30 minutes. Then divide it into 2 or 3 parts.
6. Roll out the first part of the dough into a thin sheet and cut out small discs with a small glass.
7. Use a spoon to put stuffing in the middle and form into ravioli (just like dumplings turn the ends towards each other).
8. Boil water in a large pot, add salt and 1 tbsp oil.
9. Drop the ravioli into the boiling water and cook for about 1-2 minutes from the moment they float to the surface, or shorter if the dough is already soft and we will reheat them later.
10. Take the ravioli out with a skimmer and set them aside on a tray to cool.
The article was first published in 2023.
Human Rights Violations in the Detention of Father Michał Olszewski
The Polish Ombudsman has concluded that Father Michał Olszewski, during his detention by the Internal Security Agency (ABW), was subjected to inhumane treatment. A report revealed multiple violations of his rights, including excessive physical restraint and lack of basic necessities.
Unlawful Practices During Detention
The investigation confirmed that Father Olszewski was held in restraints for 15 hours without breaks, food, or proper rest. The ABW’s actions were deemed to have violated his dignity and human rights. The report also revealed the excessive use of restraints in prison and during transport, even when no threat was posed.
Father Olszewski’s detention conditions were criticized for the lack of privacy and proper medical care. The investigation found that his cell lacked adequate sanitation and privacy, while his scheduled medical check-ups were not followed. Additionally, delays in providing dietary food further aggravated the situation.
The investigation also highlighted that certain allegations could not be verified due to the lack of surveillance footage. The case underscores the ongoing issue of human rights violations within the detention system in Poland.
President Andrzej Duda Criticizes PKW’s Actions and Discusses Legislative Matters
President Andrzej Duda, in an interview on RMF FM, expressed his concerns about the actions of the National Electoral Commission (PKW). He criticized the PKW for overstepping its role by delaying its decision on the PiS party’s election report. According to Duda, the PKW must implement the Supreme Court’s ruling without delay, highlighting its duty to remain impartial and avoid political interference.
PKW’s Missteps and the Need for Reform
Duda also proposed a legislative change in how the validity of presidential elections is determined. He suggested that randomly selected judges from the Supreme Court, rather than just the Extraordinary Control Chamber, should make decisions on election validity. Duda expressed alarm over the PKW’s inconsistent actions and its failure to abide by the law in recent cases.
The President also addressed concerns about the legal status of judges, calling for responsibility in maintaining the rule of law. He warned against undermining the stability of the judiciary, emphasizing the impact on citizens’ legal security.
Poles’ Opinions on Sunday Trading Ban: Mixed Views on Policy Change
A recent survey conducted for Wirtualna Polska reveals diverse opinions among Poles regarding the Sunday trading ban. According to the results, 54.5% of respondents believe the current regulations are sufficient and should not be changed. Meanwhile, 41.6% are in favor of modifying the ban.
Support for Changes in Sunday Trading Regulations
Among those advocating for change, 27.1% suggest introducing at least two Sunday trading days per month, while 14.5% support fully lifting the ban. A small group, 3.9%, remains undecided on the issue.
The survey also highlights a significant political divide. Among voters of the ruling coalition, 45% want two Sundays open for trade each month, and 20% seek a full repeal of the ban. Meanwhile, 31% of this group are satisfied with the existing regulations.
In contrast, 76% of respondents from PiS and Konfederacja supporters believe no changes should be made to the current Sunday trading rules. Only a minority in this group supports the idea of two Sundays with trade or a complete repeal.
Poland Faces Growing Unemployment in November 2024
Poland saw a slight increase in its unemployment rate in November 2024. The unemployment rate reached 5%, up from 4.9% in October. This rise is attributed to seasonal changes in the labor market, particularly in industries such as construction, tourism, and agriculture, which slow down during the autumn and winter months.
Economic Slowdown’s Impact on Employment
Despite the monthly increase in unemployment, the number of registered unemployed people rose by just 1.1 thousand year-on-year. Employment in companies with at least 10 employees grew by 0.1% month-on-month, but still showed a decrease of 0.5% compared to November 2023. These figures reflect a cooling of the labor market.
The seasonal slowdown is most visible in industries like construction and agriculture, where work opportunities diminish in colder months. Experts anticipated this trend, with economic forecasts suggesting that this pattern would persist through the winter.
While unemployment remains relatively low, these seasonal fluctuations highlight the challenges Poland faces in maintaining stable employment rates. Economic forecasts suggest that the job market may continue to cool in the coming months.
Polish Agriculture in Crisis: Eurostat Reports Alarming Trends in 2024
The latest Eurostat data paints a bleak picture for Polish agriculture in 2024. Productivity in the sector has plummeted by 12.5%, making Poland one of the hardest-hit countries in the EU. Only Romania (-16.8%) and Hungary (-15.5%) fared worse. In contrast, countries like Latvia (+46.9%) and Sweden (+22.5%) experienced significant gains. With the EU’s average productivity growth at 1.6%, the gap is stark and concerning.
Key Challenges for Polish Farmers
The crisis in Polish agriculture reflects deeper systemic issues. Farmers are grappling with outdated technologies, rising operational costs, and unpredictable climate conditions. Experts stress the urgent need for modernization and targeted subsidies to stabilize the sector. Without swift intervention, the current situation could escalate into long-term stagnation, jeopardizing food security and rural livelihoods.
While Poland struggles, other EU countries have successfully implemented reforms. Investments in innovation, sustainable farming practices, and government-backed programs have driven productivity in nations like Latvia and Sweden. These success stories underscore the need for Poland to follow suit, adopting proactive measures to revitalize its agricultural sector.
The 2024 data is a wake-up call for policymakers and stakeholders. To secure the future of Polish agriculture, collaborative efforts and bold reforms are essential. Time is of the essence—delayed action risks deepening the crisis and further widening the gap with other EU nations.