Eat your way around the world
Serves 4-6 It's been a long week. You're tired. You might even be cranky (I won't tell). I've got good news. Now is the perfect time to put on your superhero cape and make kababs on swords. (Ok. They aren't really swords. They're sword-like skewers. But they might as well be swords because they are that wonderful. You can buy them at your local Middle Eastern market and you'll be forever glad you did.) Iranians - and people all across the Middle East - love to use these mega … [Read more...]
Have you ever taken a big swig of a drink expecting to taste one thing, but getting another? I have. Here's what happened: I was little. I woke up in the middle of the night, crazy thirsty, and wandered blind into the kitchen to get a drink of water. Because we bottled our own spring water from Cape Cod, there was a lot of it - all stored on the side of the fridge in jugs. I felt my hand over the top of one and hoisted it up. I took several giant gulps before I realized it was most … [Read more...]
Serves 6 Take a look around you. I mean really, really look around. Every little thing - that weathered window sill, the sparkly vase, even that fuzzy gray pillow - they can all be your inspiration. Your muse. The catalyst to the next great idea. Take this Persian Sour Cherry Rice, for example. When I look at this masterpiece in form and taste - I can't help but wonder what inspired someone to create such a dish. Who was the clever soul that first made this tower of deliciousness … [Read more...]
It's the dog days of summer over here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. All but two days in July have been over 100F. And there's no end in sight. All day long the sky shimmers and the pavement radiates. My neighbor's giant tree is dropping leaves. Our crusty grass hasn't been green in weeks, and I haven't worn a pair of socks since May. In honor of this painfully persistent heat wave, I've put together a refreshing summertime meal, straight from the heart of Iranian cooking. When it gets this hot, for this … [Read more...]
Pop Quiz: Would an Iranian ever use minute rice? Welcome to one of the most mountainous countries in the world, chock full of winding mountain paths, arid plateaus, and scrubby, windswept trees. Welcome to Iran. If you learn one thing during this week's Global Table Adventure, learn this: Iranians make the most beautiful, perfect rice. And I mean perfect. Jaw-dropping. Breath taking. Not one gummy grain in the lot. It should be no surprise then, that, from mountain top to mountain … [Read more...]
THE SCENE I threw my head back and stared at the ceiling. "Seriously?" I muttered. With an irritated flick, I tossed the latest item on top of the quickly growing mound of clothing. Just like all the others, this - my favorite baby blue dress - was smattered with dark, oily grease stains. The sad truth had made itself apparent: I cannot be trusted apronless around salad dressing, cooking oil, or butter. Before I knew it, what started off as an innocent attempt to get dressed, … [Read more...]
Serves 2-4 Do you get hungry late, late, late - in the dark corners of the night? Does your stomach growl? Your mind race? Do you ever feel like you need a big bite of goodness before you can roll over and snooze? Me, too. Indonesian Beef Satay is just the ticket. Believe me when I say I would turn on my grill at midnight to eat this satay. Here's the truth: I've never simply sat and eaten a half pound of meat in my entire life. I'm just not that into meat. Until … [Read more...]
Makes 2 1/2 cups I've discovered the secret to a happy belly. Indonesian Peanut Sauce. This is not just any peanut sauce. This is the kind of peanut sauce that leaves you wondering. Hoping. Dreaming. Wishing for more. This sauce is complex. Interesting. Mysterious - full of wonderful flavors you can't quite identify. Flavors that'll make you nibble and nibble - until, eventually, you give up trying to figure everything out all the time and simply enjoy. NOTE: Vegetarians and … [Read more...]
