Global Table Adventure | 2010 November

About the Food of Cyprus

November 30, 2010 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

Psst... does your heart ache? Even just a little? I've got the cure: take a tour of Cyprus. In this gloriously mountainous Mediterranean island even the loneliest heart will find love in the air and on the beaches. In fact, legend has it that Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love, was born amidst the crashing waves and sandy shores of Cyprus. Befitting this romantic legacy, the Cypriot have a fascinating habit of cooking food in red wine. Almost anything can get a long slow simmer in the stuff … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cyprus, Europe, Travel Tuesday

Giveaway Winners

November 27, 2010 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

I should have known. When it comes to choosing between apple or pumpkin pie, there can only be two winners. Six votes went to each pie. Now I know - both pies are equally loved. And, as promised, here are our two winners, selected at random by Random.org, and their comments. Carole68 I am thankful for the guardian angel that stood by my side and kept me out of the big trouble I could have gotten into ; thankful for my two beautiful daughters that lighten up my life ; for the good … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Giveaway

Happy Thanksgiving (Giveaway!)

November 25, 2010 By Sasha Martin 13 Comments

I've heard Christmas music on the radio all week. Can you believe it? Call me old fashioned, but I think Thanksgiving deserves a little more time in the limelight. We need to sit in gratitude and savor every moment. The way I look at it, life is beautiful. I endured serious hardship in my early years, but I got through it. How? By first believing that, in this great, big, topsy-turvy world, there's always something to be thankful for... and second, by looking for just that thing to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Giveaway

Thanksgiving Menu Ideas from Around the World #2

November 24, 2010 By Sasha Martin Leave a Comment

Good day, fellow festive-folk. From addictive comfort food to iron-rich and healthy, I've got your Thanksgiving hook-up. That's right... for the second day in a row, I'm sharing menu ideas to fill out your Thanksgiving table. Our regularly scheduled cooking will continue next week with Cyprus. At the risk of sounding like "The Count" on Sesame Street: yesterday our ideas came from countries that begin with the letter A... today they come from countries that begin with the letter "B." Note: Be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holidays, Menu Wednesday

Thanksgiving Menu Ideas from Around the World #1

November 23, 2010 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

In honor of Thanksgiving week here, in the US, I "took a gander" through our old menu's and picked out a few recipes that I would enjoy on our Thanksgiving table. Here's my selections from the "A" countries... tomorrow I'll share some from the "B" countries. Have a great day! :) Note: Be sure to read the associated Monday Meal Reviews for tips and tricks. (Algeria) Hot Algerian Lasagna (Shakhshukha al-Bisakra) [Recipe] This lasagna contains ground lamb meat, diced potatoes, chickpeas, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holidays, Menu Wednesday

Monday Meal Review: Cuba

November 22, 2010 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

I prepared our Cuban Global Table secure in the thought that noone was coming over. I didn't vacuum. I didn't deodorize (the house or myself). Approximately 19 million landmines were in place. (I think some people call them "toys.") By the time the cooking was done, crusty dishes were teeter-tottering over my head - including the remnants of three botched caramel sauces. The house was an extra deluxe mess. I rarely behave this way, but I was feeling like a rebel. Must have been a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cuba, Monday Meal Review, North America

Recipe: Cuban (Hot Pressed Pork Sandwich)

November 21, 2010 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

Serves 2 Ooey, gooey and sizzling hot, The Cuban sandwich will rock your world. The key to a great Cuban Sandwich is to obtain the best possible ingredients, especially when it comes to the bread and pork. Ingredients: 18" long Cuban bread (can substitute Italian or French bread) yellow mustard (to taste) 4 slices of ham 4 slices of roast pork 4 slices of Swiss cheese thinly sliced pickles (to taste) Method: First of all, roast yourself a pork and use the leftovers in this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cuba, International Recipes, Meat, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, North America, Sandwiches/Wraps/Packets, Sasha's Favorite Recipes

Recipe: Cuban Bread (Pan Cubano)

November 21, 2010 By Sasha Martin 1 Comment

Makes 2-3 loaves The quickest way to a person's heart is with homemade bread. The incredible flavor of this soft, doughy bread is unreal. I've been making bread for a long time (even wrote a hundred page thesis about Artisan bread baking in France), so that's saying a lot. Great recipe - just make sure you start it a day ahead of when you need it! Special thanks to Kitchen Warfare for a detailed post on how to make this wonderful Cuban bread. Without their help, I would have been lost in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breads, Cuba, International Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, North America, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes