Global Table Adventure

Recipe: Sangria

March 22, 2013 By Sasha Martin 15 Comments

About five years ago Sangria was my go-to drink. A sweet, chilled glass served as my weekend wind-down and my mid-week pick-me-up. I sipped the ruby red goodness with friends... and it brought us joy, whether we were laughing or crying. Sangria became such a standby, I even served it at our engagement party in 2007. P.S. Look how glamorous (and eerie) our engagement photo was (Thanks to my amazing friend Rebekah Shannon!) ... this feels like a lifetime ago... and I suppose it is, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol, Cold, Drinks, Europe, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Spain

Recipe: Weeknight Paella

March 21, 2013 By Sasha Martin 20 Comments

Making Paella is quite the trick. Making authentic paella is even harder. My mission this week was to make a simple, yet flavorful paella for our Spanish Global Table. Something easy enough for a Monday, but special enough for a Friday. One that would be rather... well... business in front, party in the back. Or maybe not. Friends, I did my research. In fact, I spent a lot of time reading mediocre online reviews of what should have been amazing paella recipes. These … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, International Recipes, Meat, Potluck Friendly, Rice, Seafood, Spain, Technique Thursday

Menu: Spain

March 20, 2013 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

This is such an exciting week at the Global Table. We're finally cooking Spain. Let me tell you what... she's sweet, crunchy, saffron-loaded, and blooming with smoked paprika. And she's also... well... a little off. You see, I made a teeny weeny mistake on this menu (see Very Important Note #2, below). With humble apologies, I'd like to share this Spanish proverb and hope that we can be... One who draws water from stones. Saca agua de las pierdras.* i.e. Let's be resourceful and make … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Menu Wednesday, Spain

About the food of Spain

March 19, 2013 By Sasha Martin 17 Comments

La Barona avui forma parrt de l'hotel Don Jaime by PCB75

Here we are. Spain. No pressure. (bonkers pressure!) When I started this lil' ol' Global Table Adventure, I honestly wasn't sure we'd make it this far. That was more than three years ago. I had a six month-old cooing in my arms. And cooking 162 countries (let alone 195 - now 196 with the addition of South Sudan) seemed all but a fairy tale. But I plugged on. One dish per week. And so, here we are. We made it to the 163rd country! Spain. A rocky land, with a giant dry plateau … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Spain, Travel Tuesday

Monday Meal Review: South Africa

March 18, 2013 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

httpv://youtu.be/BafhplICni8 "Almost doesn't fill a bowl" Zulu Proverb I've said it before and I'll say it again: a good friend makes for a great companion in the kitchen. Through the crackle and sizzle, conversation and laughter keep love flowing... right on into the meal... So, I was thrilled when my friend Janine said she'd help me figure out the food of South Africa. She's South African, so I knew I was in good hands. But then things got a little wonky. Because she's vegan, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Monday Meal Review, South Africa

Recipe: South Africa’s Yellow Rice | Geelrys

March 17, 2013 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

During the week, I'm always looking for a way to get beyond ordinary b-b-boring boiled rice. Hello. Cue our friends of South Africa... they have the answer with "Geelrys," which literally translates to "yellow rice." Imagine a pot of turmeric and raisin bejeweled rice... a simple side dish as flavorful as it is gorgeous. Geelrys tastes like a sunrise on the most beautiful morning of your life. Or, like happy a hug from a good friend. Or, maybe it just tastes like … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Rice, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, South Africa, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: South African Amarula Coffee

March 15, 2013 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

There's nothing like a drunk elephant to get my attention. Whoa, whoa, whoa. It' s a little early for that kind of talk. Let me back up a moment. Amarula Coffee is a South African favorite - a breezy concoction that includes your favorite coffee, some brown sugar (the sweetener of choice in South Africa), a shot or two of Amarula, and whipped cream. It's very much like an Irish Coffee. Why? The Amarula. You can find this creamy concoction at most liquor stores in the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Alcohol, Fun Friday, Hot, International Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, South Africa

Recipe: South Africa’s Bobotie

March 13, 2013 By Sasha Martin 15 Comments

Are you ready for a big bite of everything, ever? South Africa's Bobotie (ba-boor-tea) reminds me of when I was a little girl, playing in the kitchen next to mom. I'd dump every possible ingredient into my little inventions, hoping they'd come out amazing. While chopped apples and pickles didn't pan out when I was a kid, bobotie most decidedly does. But don't worry - there's no apple or pickle in it. So what is in it? Some people call Bobotie South African Moussaka, but I'm … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Meat, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, South Africa, Technique Thursday