Global Table Adventure

About the food of Guatemala

May 24, 2011 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

Follow the rainforest trails, past the ancient and active volcanoes, through patches of arid desert and towering Mayan ruins, and pull up a chair to the Guatemalan Global Table. Just don't sit too close - you need room for your belly to grow. And, I promise you, it will grow. For starters, you'll be chowing down on pupusa - the awesome corn (masa harina) snack packet we made for El Salvador [Recipe]. Then there'll be a heaping portion of Guatemalan mole, called recado or pepian, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guatemala, North America, Travel Tuesday

Monday Meal Review: Grenada

May 23, 2011 By Sasha Martin 17 Comments

THE SCENE: I was almost asleep when it hit me. My eyes popped open. "Did you put the Oil Down away?" I asked. "The what?" Keith replied, groggily. "The Oil Down. The stew?" I waited, blinded by the piercing blue glow radiating from my alarm clock. "No?" I shut my eyes tightly and shook my head. Keith always answers my questions with a question when I'm upset. "How long has it been out?" he asked. I didn't answer. "Is it still good?" "No." I felt tears well up in my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Grenada, Monday Meal Review, North America

Recipe: 1 2 3 4 Caribbean Rum Punch

May 22, 2011 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

Makes...as much as you can handle! I'm no mixologist, so I love when there's a clear cut way to mix a drink, such as with the ever-mighty Rum Punch. The recipe is easy to remember, as long as you can count to four. You'll need 1 part sour, 2 parts sweet, 3 parts strong, 4 parts weak. As for what specific ingredients to use? That's where you get to be creative. Take "Sweet" for example: that could be a sugar syrup or a naturally sweet fruit juice. You get to choose. I went for a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol, Cold, Grenada, International Recipes, North America

Recipe: Oil Down with Yucca (vegan)

May 22, 2011 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

Serves 6 Stressed out? Time for a Caribbean Oil Down - and I don't mean massage. This heavy duty dish is made by stewing cassava or bread fruit in coconut milk and curry. The result is a thick, indulgent stew worthy of any party. Our version is vegan, but pork bits are typical. With such rich ingredients, Oil Down seems more suited to a ski slope than a beach party, but, still, Grenadians eat this dish in their bathing suits. Brave, brave people. Oil Down is so rich that you may be able to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Grenada, International Recipes, North America, Potluck Friendly, Random Carbs & Grains, Soups, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Spinners & Sinkers (Caribbean Dumplings)

May 22, 2011 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

Makes about 10 Perhaps you've had a rough week. Perhaps you need a little comfort. The time is right... come over my friends; let's make a batch of Spinners & Sinkers. I thought I knew what a dumpling was until I met a batch of Caribbean Spinners and Sinkers. They don't look like any dumpling I've ever had. They are long and gently tapered, which causes them to sink and spin and dance while they cook in simmering water. Traditional dumplings just bob and float. Spinners and Sinkers are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Grenada, International Recipes, North America, Pasta, Vegan, Vegetarian

How to walk like a Grenadian (w/ poll)

May 20, 2011 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

If you're thinking this pale green fruit is sweet and unassuming, think again. By the time she turns soft and golden, she will pop open to reveal her true personality and it's rather punk rock. First of all, there's the vivid red mace which seems to slither and snake around the fruit's dark inner shell. Despite the strange appearance, people try and eat mace both for it's mild flavor and vivid color. Then, once you break open the hard casing, there's the most floral fragrant goodness your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fun Friday, Grenada, North America

Recipe: Ever-so Nutmeg Ice Cream

May 19, 2011 By Sasha Martin 20 Comments

Makes 1 1/2 quarts Pull up a chair. I have a secret to tell you. You are missing out on one of life's greatest pleasures if you've never made homemade ice cream. I've spent many a summer day hovering over a spinning, whirring ice cream machine... waiting - rather impatiently- for the liquid to solidify into creamy goodness, just so I can eat it up with a spoon directly out of the container. The milk and cream mixture completes its glorious transformation in less than thirty minutes in a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Grenada, International Recipes, North America, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweets, Technique Thursday

Menu: Grenada

May 18, 2011 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

Say hello to our menu, inspired by Grenada's sandy beaches and lively seaside parties. While I've wished (over and over again) that Oklahoma had a shoreline, the best thing I can do for now is to have beach parties without the beach. I know it's a stretch but, if it's particularly windy, the Oklahoma wind almost sounds like the ocean... and then I don't miss Cape Cod and Boston nearly so much. If you haven't already guessed, let me just say - we do a lot of imagining in our house. Case in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Grenada, Menu Wednesday, North America