Zapiekanka is traditional Polish street food. It’s toasted baguette with mushrooms and cheese. A long baguette is traditionally used, but at home you can use a small one.

What makes Zapiekanka so authentic and so tasty is a thick drizzle of Polish ketchup on the top.

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread (for 4 pieces) or 2 whole grain baguettes individual size
• Freshly grated white cheddar cheese
• 4-6 whole mushrooms
• 1 sweet red pepper
• 1 whole chopped onion
• Ketchup
• 1 pinch sweet red pepper
• 1 pinch black pepper
• Mayonnaise (optional)
• Thinly sliced ham or lunchmeat (optional)

Preparation

1. Cut the French bread in half, and then in half again to obtain 4 pieces of equal size.
2. Wash the mushrooms and slice them.
3. Pan fry the mushrooms and the onions with the red pepper until soft and cooked through. You can add ham to make it softer.
4. Add mushrooms, cheese, red pepper and onion on each slice of bread. Toast in a hot oven until the bread is crispy and the cheese has melted.
5. Drizzle ketchup and serve hot.

Zapiekanka should always be accompanied by beer and it’s better if it’s Polish piwo (beer)!

Smacznego! Enjoy!