Global Table Adventure

Recipe: Moldovan Preserved Peppers

April 20, 2012 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

Logistically speaking, peppers make for really great dinners. They're healthy. They're big on sweet, juicy flavor. The don't go bad quickly. And they go with nearly anything. But when you have a veggie garden, figuring out how to use up all your peppers can be a nightmare. Heck, even if you don't garden it can be a challenge to take advantage of the fresh produce at the market (hello, sale prices!). Today, thanks to Moldova, we're going to solve that. We've already had several great … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Moldova, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Seasoning Blends & Pickles, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Moldovan Veggie & Feta Stuffed Zucchini

April 19, 2012 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

In honor of Moldova, let's clear out the weeds. Let's make room for a garden. A springy, happy sort of place where you can go to daydream in the morning sunlight, with a cup of steaming hot tea at the ready. A place where you can feel your connection to the earth and the soil. Where you can think those thoughts you never have time to think. Where you can finally stop being too busy. While you're there I'd like you to plant a tiny sprout that will one day grow up into one hundred dream boats. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Moldova, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Menu: Moldova

April 18, 2012 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

Two days ago Ava, Keith and I had our fingers in the soil. We planted seedlings from a shop in Bixby called Carmichael's. For our small garden-wall-turned-veggie-patch, we bought tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and summer squash. We rounded things out with basil and two types of lettuce. We all had dirt under our fingernails and smiles in our hearts. We nibbled bits of lettuce and basil straight from the ground. It was glorious. And the timing couldn't be more perfect. The people … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Menu Wednesday, Moldova

About the food in Moldova

April 17, 2012 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

If you're looking for wine, Moldova is waiting for you. For the last 25 million years (give or take a few), grapes have been growing in the region, ripe for the juicing. There's even evidence that, if you were to travel back in time about 5,ooo years ago, you could meander through vineyards sipping wine from cultivated grapes. Not out of glass, perhaps, but you'd be sippin'-happy all the same. Thankfully, you don't have to travel back 5,000 years to enjoy a good selection of Moldovan wine. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Moldova, Travel Tuesday

Monday Meal Review: Micronesia

April 16, 2012 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

THE SCENE Ava's at a funny age. Literally. Everything is all giggles and "that's so funny, mama." It adds a breath of fresh air to my reality of taxes, tornadoes, and keeping the car clean. All equally impossible to deal with. This week Ava chuckled when she saw the silly straw in her Pineapple Papaya Coco Smoothie. And she loved the fact that there were oranges in our Micronesian Orange Coconut Cake. She laughed and laughed about that one. And, of course, I laughed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Micronesia, Monday Meal Review, Oceania

Recipe: Micronesian Ginger & Lime Marinade

April 15, 2012 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

In college I went by MacGyver. It had nothing to do with my ability to save lives (with little more than a shoestring and a balloon), and everything to do with feeding my four hungry roommates in the face of the greatest of obstacles (an empty refrigerator). I once made them lasagna without pasta or sauce. True story. Which brings me to this Micronesian marinade. There are four fantastic reasons to make it: 1. There is really no need to measure the ingredients. I have it on a local's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gluten Free Adaptable, Grilling, International Recipes, Meat, Micronesia, Oceania, Poultry, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sauces & Dressings, Seafood, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Pineapple Papaya Coco Sipper (with poll)

April 13, 2012 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

It took Micronesia to get me excited about a smoothie. Don't get me wrong - I love smoothies. After a while, though, they all taste the same. Until now. This smoothie blushes, straight from the easy, breezy islands. Why? Because out of the soft, sweet flavor of papaya and pineapple comes the daring zip of fresh lime juice. Adding lime juice to a smoothie may sound strange, but Micronesians know - this is like adding a hint of key lime pie to your drink. A bit of soprano … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol-Free, Cold, Fruit, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Micronesia, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Oceania, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Glazed Orange Coconut Cake

April 12, 2012 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

There are times when I want to be fancy, but not fussy. When I want a pretty cake, but I don't want to decorate it with elaborate roses. When I'd rather be swimming in the sea instead of doing my taxes. Ahem. These are the days when I want (need!) a little slice of heaven to serve along side my afternoon cup of tea. I never thought I'd find my answer in Micronesia. But I did. This orange infused cake comes all the way to us from a little Micronesian island called Kosrae and a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fruit, International Recipes, Micronesia, New Year's, Oceania, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegetarian