“Fat Tuesday – “pass the calories!

On yesterday’s show ( WCPT 820 am radio) at 2:30 pm. Frank and I were able to take a little breack from on-air duries while a taped interview of the marvelous Bethany Thomas, played to our audience. At this time, we grabbed the box of wonderful  paczki’s, taste one or two ( three , but who’s counting?) and then Devin and the others at the station did the same in the kitchen area ( no food in the actual studio). They were beautiful! They were delicious! They were delightful!

Our tradition is to buy a special filled pastry ( almost a donut with no hole) called the Paczki. I know that this is a Polish name, but I think it is universal for all to eat on Fat Tuesday ( yet it seems that they are selling faster than hotcakes even now. I spoke with the folks at Delightful Pastries today and at noon she was out ( they had made several hundred). Of course she has other wonderful goodies ( including more breads than one can name). Her bakery was full of people, might I add, hungry people.

A few years ago, when I was with an ethnic newspaper, I was invited to this bakery where several other media people were placed in the kitchen and worked the process from dropping in the oil to the filling with the fillings. There is custard, whipped cream and other great tastes. That was a fun day and Dobra ( the pastry chef) made sure we all took some home.  I left with six, but only three made it home. maybe that’s why we call it Fat Tuesday.

Anyone who has ever been to New Orleans for Mardi Gras knows that the paczki is part of this festival as well.

When I grew up , my grandfather called this type of donut a Bismarck- jelly or custard filled with a sugar icing. They were sweet, but they were around every week. I know because I snuck into the pastry box every Sunday morning. I guess pastries and sweets are my thing.

Delightful Pastries is located at 5927 West Lawrence Avenue

check out www.delightfulpastries.com  I would order yours now to make sure that your family can enjoy the best of Chicagoland when it comes to Paczkis!

call 773-545-7215