the most profound influences on polish cooking can be dated back to the medieval times, and to the times of the roman empire, when both the italians and french introduced many of their cooking customs into the country - aside from these countries, there were also numerous influences from germany, hungary and the ukraine, now all uniquely incorporated into the polish diet.

today, the most common ingredients found in polish cooking, are sauerkraut, beetroot, cucumbers, sour cream, mushrooms, and meats, whilst spices, such as marjoram, dill, or parsley, give the meals their punch - the most basic and common products produced by polish cuisine are breads and sausages, and can be found at most meal tables.

amongst a whole host of traditional dishes, two of the most popular, to be found on a polish menu, are bigos and pierogi - bigos is a well-seasoned stew, made from cabbage, sauerkraut, various meats and sausages, whilst pierogi is a traditional dish of small dumplings, filled with sauerkraut, mushrooms, cheese and potatoes.