Polish Head Cheese Recipe (2024)

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(1 reviews)


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Cooking Mode

10Ingredients

30m PT30M
Prep Time

4h PT4H
Cook Time

4h 30m
Ready In

Recipe: #3160

November 27, 2011

Categories:Garlic,Onions,Picnic, Diabetic,Gluten-Free,High Protein,No Eggs,Non-Dairy,Sugar-Free, more

Polish Head Cheese Recipe (4)

recipe by:
QueenBea

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Polish Head Cheese Recipe (5)

recipe by:
QueenBea

"I have 2 head cheese recipes I make regularly. This one is a Polish style head cheese. My dad was Native and French so I was raised with the French Canadian head cheese recipe. When I made this for the first time for my Polish husband he said it reminded him of a recipe his mom made but had a different consistency. I do also have Polish roots, so after asking around about the difference between the two, this is what I came up with. Hubby says it is just like his mom used to make."

Original is 12 servings

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Ingredients

Nutritional

  • Serving Size: 1 (42.9 g)
  • Calories 35.2
  • Total Fat - 2.4 g
  • Saturated Fat - 0.8 g
  • Cholesterol - 5.5 mg
  • Sodium - 186.5 mg
  • Total Carbohydrate - 1.7 g
  • Dietary Fiber - 0.4 g
  • Sugars - 0.6 g
  • Protein - 1.7 g
  • Calcium - 7.9 mg
  • Iron - 0.2 mg
  • Vitamin C - 1 mg
  • Thiamin - 0.1 mg

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Step by Step Method

Step 1

Place hocks in a large pot with onion, garlic and bay leaf and cover with water.

Step 2

Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium-high and continue to boil for a couple of hours adding water as needed, making sure hocks are always covered with liquid.

Step 3

Remove hocks and set aside.

Step 4

Strain the stock and return to pot.

Step 5

Allow meat to cool and remove all fat and bones, keeping the meat and flesh; cut meat and flesh into small pieces.

Step 6

Return to stock and add salt and pepper, allspice and nutmeg; you will need at least 3 cups of the stock.

Step 7

Boil until just a bit of liquid is left, about 3/4 of the way up the meat.

Step 8

Mix the contents of gelatine packets with the hot water until completely dissolved and pour into mixture.

Step 9

Pour into an empty 28 ounce can or in a jelly mould lined with plastic wrap and allow setting at least 8 hours.

Step 10

To release meat from can, flip can over and remove bottom of can with can opener and push out.

Step 11

Slice to desired thickness and serve.

Tips

No special items needed.

Editorial Notes

The ingredient tips, suggestions, variations, facts, questions and answers below are not edits to the original author's recipe. They are not meant to imply any change would improve the recipe. They're offered for convenience, alternative ideas, and points of interest. If you have any comments about them, please post in the Help & Ideas forum.

Tips for selecting ingredients

  • For the pork hocks, make sure to select ones with a good amount of fat for the best flavor.
  • If you don't have allspice, you can substitute with equal parts of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Ingredient substitutions

  • Instead of pork hocks, you can use pork ribs. The benefit of this substitution is that ribs are easier to find and don't require as much cooking time as hocks. This will save time in the preparation process.
  • Instead of allspice, you can use a combination of ground cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The benefit of this substitution is that it will provide a more complex flavor profile, with the addition of cloves and cinnamon to the nutmeg.

Variations

Vegetarian Head Cheese Replace the pork hocks with 4 cups of diced potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions. Reduce the amount of boiling water to 1/2 cup and replace the gelatine with agar agar.



Serve with

: Potato Salad

: Potato salad is the perfect accompaniment to Polish head cheese. It is light and creamy, providing a nice contrast to the savory, rich flavors of the head cheese. The potatoes also absorb the flavors of the head cheese, making a truly delicious dish.

: Cucumber Dill Salad

: Cucumber Dill Salad is a great accompaniment to Polish head cheese. The refreshing cucumbers, tangy dill, and creamy dressing provide a delicious contrast to the savory flavors of the head cheese. It is a light and flavorful dish that pairs perfectly with the head cheese.

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FAQ

Q: How long does it take to make Polish Head Cheese?

A: It takes about 3 hours to make Polish Head Cheese, including boiling the hocks, cooling, cutting, and setting the gelatine.

Q: What ingredients are used to make Polish Head Cheese?

A: Polish Head Cheese typically uses pork hocks, onion, garlic, bay leaves, black peppercorns, and juniper berries. It is then set in a gelatin made from the pork hock broth.

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Fun facts:

Polish head cheese is known as "salceson" in Poland and is a traditional cold cut served during Christmas and Easter. It's made of boiled pork hocks, spices and gelatine.

The Polish-American actor, John Cusack, is known to have enjoyed Polish head cheese as a child. He remembers his Polish-American grandmother making it for him and his siblings when they were young.

Polish Head Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Polish head cheese made of? ›

Head cheese (Dutch: hoofdkaas) or brawn is a cold cut terrine or meat jelly that originated in Europe. It is made with flesh from the head of a calf or pig (less commonly a sheep or cow), typically set in aspic, and usually eaten cold, at room temperature, or in a sandwich.

How is head cheese made? ›

Head cheese is not a dairy cheese, but a terrine or meat jelly made with flesh from the head of a calf or pig, or less commonly a sheep or cow, and often set in aspic. The parts of the head used vary, but the brain, eyes, and ears are usually removed.

What is the best way to eat head cheese? ›

How to eat head cheese. You can absolutely dig right in with slices from pre-made rolls, but eating head cheese with thin crackers is common. Treat it like a pâté, and you'll be on the right track. You can also approach it like deli meat — toss it on a sandwich with some light mustard and lettuce, and you'll be set.

What's the difference between head cheese and souse? ›

A lot of people wonder about souse vs. head cheese, but these two things are actually the same in the way that cotto is a type of salami. Head cheeses are made from boiled hogs' head meat suspended in gelatin. Souse is a type of head cheese that contains vinegar.

What is the special Polish cheese? ›

In Poland, several exclusive cheese types can't be found anywhere else, including the unique smoked cheese, OSCYPEK, made solely from salted sheep milk found in the Tatra Mountains region. Another distinctive Polish cheese is TWARÓG, similar to quark or farmer's cheese, but distinct in its own right.

What is the jelly in head cheese? ›

Since the pork head has high collagen content, the meat produces a natural gelatin and binds together as it simmers. This makes the jellied form. However, commercially-made head cheese often has gelatin powder, a product made from pork and beef bones and skin.

What is a interesting fact about head cheese? ›

Head cheese is in fact dairy-free. There are, however, heads involved. Pig's head to be exact, and while the notion of eating the head of a pig may be enough to turn your stomach, the fact of the matter is that there is quite a lot of scrumptious meat in the head that would be a shame to waste.

What is the clear gel on my deli meat? ›

The translucent, gelatinous substance in deli meat may be the result of additives, such as gelatin, being added to improve texture and moisture retention. It could also be the result of the natural gelling of the meat due to the presence of collagen.

What parts of the pig are in head cheese? ›

Pig's Head: The primary ingredient is usually the head of a pig, including the cheeks, ears and sometimes other parts like the tongue. Seasonings: Southern-style headcheese is seasoned with a mix of spices and herbs. Common seasonings include salt, black pepper and garlic.

Can I freeze head cheese? ›

Storage & Handling. Keep refrigerated. Can be frozen. If product is frozen, thaw in refrigerator before serving.

Is head cheese healthy to eat? ›

Head cheese is a protein-packed food that supports muscle development, immune system, and bone health. It's low in carbs and calories, making it a satisfying and versatile ingredient for various dishes. With essential amino acids and healthy fats, head cheese promotes brain function and weight management.

Why is Boar's head cheese so good? ›

Boar's Head is a family-owned and operated company that has been making high-quality deli meats and cheeses for over 30 years. They use only the finest ingredients, and their products are minimally processed. This means that you can taste the difference in every bite.

What is head cheese called in the South? ›

Souse, a highly seasoned hog's head cheese, is very popular as a cold cut or appetizer. In Mississippi, Alabama, and other southern states, it is encountered in a spicy form known as souse or less spicy hog's head cheese.

What is in boar's head head cheese? ›

Carefully crafted with select cuts of ham blended with sweet red peppers, this Old World terrine resembles a rough pâté and is uncommonly flavorful. Boar's Head Head Cheese is an authentic take on a traditional German delicacy.

What does Polish cheese taste like? ›

Twarog Cheese (Polish Farmer's Cheese)

Also known as Polish Farmer's Cheese and sometimes as Polish curd cheese, it is a type of fresh white cheese. It is known for its creamy texture and mild flavor, making it a versatile ingredient in various dishes.

What does head cheese taste like? ›

It is seasoned with garlic, paprika, black pepper, and other ingredients and usually smoked. Pork in my experience. It's made of the gelatin found in the head of a pig after all. The main flavor in head cheese is typically pork.

Why is it called headcheese? ›

There is no dairy cheese involved in headcheese. The name "headcheese" originates from the process of using the gelatinous stock produced by boiling a pig's or calf's head to create a flavorful aspic that holds the meat together.

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