Global Table Adventure

Monday Meal Review: Malta

March 12, 2012 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

THE SCENE: My Misadventures I slide the skillet of Froga out of the screaming hot oven. This is Malta's beloved mixture of angel hair pasta and eggs. Frittata. Beautiful. Puffy in the center and crisp on the edges. But my mind is elsewhere. I glance over at the counter. It is covered with small, brightly colored chocolate eggs, a giant bag of powdered sugar, fresh lemons and oranges, almond paste, and all my decorating tools. I cannot wait to make Malta's sweet Easter cookies. I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Malta, Monday Meal Review

Recipe: Noodle-Town Eggs, a.k.a. Vermicelli Frittata (Froga tat-Tarja)

March 11, 2012 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

Some days are for feeling grown up. Responsible. Full of lists and the determination to check them off. Other days are for bubbles, silly string, and dancing with your shoes off. And eating Maltese Froga. Froga is the adorable lovechild of omelets and angel hair pasta. Yes, pasta in your eggs. Eggs in your pasta. It's like the noodles are doing a squiggly dance in your breakfast. This is major happy food. Where has it been all my life? In Malta (and nearby Sicily), you can find … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breakfast, Europe, International Recipes, Malta, Pasta, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetarian

Recipe: Maltese Stuffed Artichokes (Qaqoċċ Mimli) (w/ poll)

March 9, 2012 By Sasha Martin 13 Comments

I often wonder how many people walk by their supermarket's artichoke display squinting their eyes, unsure of what to do with this prickly porcupine of a vegetable. Being part Italian, I grew up eating artichokes and often take them for granted. I was thrilled this week to read that the Maltese also enjoy a giant, stuffed-to-the-brim artichoke - giving me a chance to indulge yet another time. A stuffed-to-the-brim artichoke is my favorite movie snack. Perfect Friday night fun. The challenge … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Malta, Vegetables/Pulses

Recipe: Marzipan Easter Cookies from Malta (Figolla)

March 8, 2012 By Sasha Martin 24 Comments

Each week, when I sit down to pick recipes, I am surrounded by a mountain of cookbooks, web sites, and emails (this week I'd like to thank Maltese reader, Jym B. for all his help). I scan through dozens, if not hundreds of ideas before settling on my selections. Not today. Not with this recipe. I ran across Figolla almost immediately and knew, without a doubt, this sweet treat was a keeper. Reader, Jym, simply confirmed my selection, stating it is a "wonderful" cookie from his Maltese … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Holidays, International Recipes, Malta, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweets, Vegetarian

Menu: Malta

March 7, 2012 By Sasha Martin 13 Comments

Look at Mr Picky. Specifically, look at his eyebrows. They're practically touching his hair line. That, my friends, is sugar going straight to his brain.. any ideas for a caption? As for the menu, I think you're going to do summersaults. Or, at least, squiggly noodle-saults. Every single dish is fun for the whole family. If, when you nibble these treats, you can't taste Malta's ocean breeze, then something's gone terribly wrong. Vermicelli Fritatta (Froga tat-Tarja) [Recipe] Eggs + Angel … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Malta, Menu Wednesday

About the food of Malta

March 6, 2012 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

Malta, Mdina, St. Paul's Cathedral. Photo by Berthold Werner

Today I'd love to be in tiny Malta (she's 122 square miles small). I'd like to bask on a rock in the Mediterranean sun, listen to the crashing waves, and daydream until I smell dinner. And what a dinner it would be... think Italian. Think French. Arabic. Pasta and red sauce. Artichokes. Olives and capers. Rabbit stewed in wine. Fish swimming in soup. The fresh salty air would whet my appetite. And boy would I eat. The flavors are bold and the feelings are bolder. My heritage has … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Malta, Travel Tuesday

Monday Meal Review: Mali

March 5, 2012 By Sasha Martin 20 Comments

THE SCENE I drop the Maasa batter into the hot pan, wiping the tears from my cheeks. I want to be somewhere else, away from this terrible, no good day. It's been one of those days I sigh to the cat, Malky. Now, as the batter puffs up into a crispy, golden disc, my focus slowly shifts from my frustrations to the smells and sights in front of me. My mouth waters. My stomach does a summersault. I flip the Maasa and realize these pancake-donut treats were going to be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Mali, Monday Meal Review

Recipe: Vanilla Ginger Bissap (with poll)

March 2, 2012 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

Most days I drink three cups of tea. Sometimes more. Every day, at about the same time, I'm ready for my evening cup of deliciousness. Usually the sun has dipped below the horizon, lending a hazy glow to the darkening sky, and I desire little more than to sneak under a soft throw on the couch. With every sip I slip away. This is when I unwind. This is when I daydream. Even if I drink the same tea all day long, this cup tastes different. This cup is therapy. During these calm … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Alcohol-Free, Cold, Hot, International Recipes, Mali, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes