Global Table Adventure | 2012 September

About the food of Paraguay

September 11, 2012 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

Paraguay (pronounced parag-why) is the first landlocked country we've cooked in a long, long while. To celebrate, we're going to hang out in a local swamp. Appropriately dubbed "The Great Swamp," this wet expanse stretches through Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia, and is home to more than 10,000 species of birds, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates, according to Environmental Graffiti. It's gigantic. P.S. The Great Swamp is considered by Environmental Graffiti to be one of the top ten swamps … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Paraguay, South America, Travel Tuesday

Monday Meal Review: Papua New Guinea

September 10, 2012 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

I hover over the dining table, scooping the tapioca and banana mush onto banana leaves to make saksak. The deep green leaves are soft and supple - completely relaxed from a pass over the licking blue flames on my range. I work slowly, eventually rolling each leaf into a rectangle shape, taking care not to spill any filling. I tuck each bundle securely in the steamer and, when I'm done, I click on the burner. A few moments later, vapors slip out between the pot lid and the pot. Little wisps of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Monday Meal Review, Oceania, Papua New Guinea

Recipe: Spicy Coconut Shrimp

September 9, 2012 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

Fact: Shrimp are like relationships. They should be warm and inviting. Not cold and clammy. I've never been a fan of cold shrimp at cocktail parties. I eat them begrudgingly (if only because I'm an eternal grazer). All the while, I daydream of a crackling, crusty, and "fried-until-golden-brown" shrimp. I'm not sure why I settle on cold and clammy at cocktail parties, but I do it every single time. Thankfully, I didn't make the same mistake when choosing my husband. And, after this week's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Finger Food, International Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Seafood

Recipe: Tapioca & Banana Dumplings in Coconut Milk | Saksak (w/ poll)

September 7, 2012 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

I don't make a lot of really, really weird things on this blog. You won't see deep-fried tarantulas or monkey brains. This is because I feel strongly that regular people (and by that I mean regular-really-special-all-kinds-of-wonderful people like you), living in average towns (that they love with all their heart, like you do) should be able to replicate this adventure without pulling their hair out by the roots. Simply put: the more people cooking the world, the better. And I'm here … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fruit, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Random Carbs & Grains, Sandwiches/Wraps/Packets, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Autumnal Veggies in Spiced Coconut Milk

September 6, 2012 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

"I would eat that" says Mr. Picky, after taking a nibble off of my wooden spoon. I take a bite off the same spoon and let my eyes flutter shut. My mouth is filled with the most comforting, savory goodness. These coconut veggies taste exactly like a delicious hug on a rainy day... or a steaming hot shower after a rough and tumble game of basketball... or that happy dream you have after finishing a really, really great book (or show) - the kind of dream that lets the world of the characters … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Potatoes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Menu: Papua New Guinea (& Giveaway)

September 5, 2012 By Sasha Martin 46 Comments

"How can a country of 800 plus languages and 700 plus ethnic groups unite to form a country, impossible but possible for PNG" - Sir Michael Somare, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. (Source) Sir Michael Somare has a great point. How exactly does a group of people so diverse remain unified as a country? From what I've read, PNG's success has a great deal to do with the freedom it allows these 700 ethnic groups to express themselves, whether by wearing unique clothing, performing … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Menu Wednesday, Oceania, Papua New Guinea

About the food of Papua New Guinea

September 4, 2012 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

As a fisherman waits patiently for the fish to bite, Tavurvur belches ash and pumice into the twilight. Photo by Taro Taylor.

Few sentences succeed at stopping me in my tracks, however last night's research on Papua New Guinea made me blush and chuckle. I can't help but share the line that made me react so strongly, as it sums up the culture more succinctly than three pages worth of blabber I could offer: A young bare-breasted woman recently bought as a bride for five pigs may be wearing a digital wristwatch. (1000 Places to See Before You Die) Knock that image around your brain a while. As far as mental images go, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Travel Tuesday

Monday Meal Review: Panama

September 3, 2012 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

A canal cuts straight through Panama, dividing the skinny country and two great continents. Ships no longer have to pass around the southern-most tip of South America to circumnavigate the globe as they once did. They just slip right on through her middle. Each time a ship passes, 200 million liters of water slosh and gush through the opening. Incredible, the effect of a "little divider" like the Panama canal. Keith's new job means he's traveling a lot. One week of every month he just … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Monday Meal Review, North America, Panama