Global Table Adventure | Global Table Adventure

Recipe: Taiwanese Shaved Ice Treat | Bào Bīng

May 23, 2013 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

I don't use curtains in my bedroom; I don't need them - someone would have to climb over our 8 foot fences and face our "attack cat," Malky in order to see inside my bedroom... and we all know that would pretty much ruin any possibility for us to be friends. Instead, I use half shutters, which allow me to see the moon at night and the birds during the day. It's my favorite space in my house. So peaceful. Anyway, the other morning I cracked open my eyes to discover the entire room was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Fruit, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Taiwan, Technique Thursday, Vegetarian

Menu: Taiwan

May 22, 2013 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

This week, while we're visiting family in Boston and New Jersey, I'm sharing one simple celebration recipe with you... afterall, what is visiting family, if not a celebration! It's been more than a year since I've seen any family on my side (where does the time go?!)... the last time was when we cooked Maldives. Since one treat doesn't feel like nearly enough to represent an entire country, I thought I'd flash back to an old favorite from an earlier Global Table. As I mentioned on Tuesday, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Menu Wednesday, Taiwan

About the food of Taiwan

May 21, 2013 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

WuShihBi Cape seen behind the DongAo Bay, from the SuHua Highway, a scenic drive on the east coast of Taiwan. Photo by Fred Hsu,

Feeling overcast? You just might love Taiwan. This tropical island east of China is a mountainous land, where you'll find clouds and the whipping rains common with monsoons. This week we explore the food that dots along the 13,902 square miles of this small nation. But don't get the wrong idea; just because she's small (about the size of Massachusetts), doesn't mean the people are few and far between. The opposite is true, in fact. There are 1,600 people per square mile which makes … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Taiwan, Travel Tuesday

Monday Meal Review: Syria

May 20, 2013 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

httpv://youtu.be/1CVMInq42c4 "Want to help me make the kebabs?" I asked Ava, gesturing toward the pile of long, metal skewers, the bowl of sour cherries swimming in water, and the ground lamb meat, spiced with baharat. I tried to imagine what this spread looked like in a three year-old's mind. Dangerous, slimy, raw. I cringed a little internally, knowing she wouldn't want to help. Knowing this would push every squeamish part of her mind. But then she spoke. "Sure!" she smiled and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Monday Meal Review, Syria

Recipe: Baharat

May 19, 2013 By Sasha Martin 1 Comment

I'm craving a little excitement. A little spice. In my younger years, I might have stayed out all night clubbing, I might have found a new crush, or I might have packed my bags and drove off into the sunset without checking a map. Even worse, I might have done all three. Today, I think, I'll settle for something simpler. Something more manageable. Baharat is a popular Middle Eastern spice blend which often makes its way into kebabs and other meat preparations. There are countless … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, International Recipes, Seasoning Blends & Pickles, Syria

Recipe: Syrian Lentils

May 17, 2013 By Sasha Martin 13 Comments

There's a whole head of garlic up in these cyber pages. By now you should be able to smell it through the screen. I know. You have boys to kiss. Important business meetings and no Altoids. You don't have time to smell like garlic. But indulge me for a moment, please. We've eaten a whole head of garlic on this Adventure before, as with our Lebanese garlic sauce Toum, but this time our garlic is making friends with lentils and Swiss chard. They bubble and steam up together, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Dips, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Syria, Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Syrian Lamb kebabs with Sour Cherries | Kebab Karaz

May 16, 2013 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

I can almost hear it; the hiss and sizzle of grills waking up from their long winter naps. It's warm in Oklahoma and we're ready to move our kitchen outside, into the sparkling sun. Today's inspiration comes from Syria and the pucker of sour cherries, which will be in season sometime in the next few weeks, depending where in the world you live. Syrian Lamb Kebabs with Cherries can be made two different ways. The first is easy - you string up the meat along with the sour cherries. The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Grilling, International Recipes, Meat, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Syria, Technique Thursday

Menu: Syria

May 15, 2013 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

"If your friend is honey, don't lick him all." Syrian Proverb If I'm going to be honest, I'd have to say I'm not exactly sure what this proverb means (or, more to the point, I'm not sure I should be visualizing my friends as honey bears). My theory: the proverb is not literal (so few are), but it does teach that good things should not be taken advantage of. Lest we lick them all up. But what a vivid picture the Syrians paint to teach this message. The food is just as vivid. There are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Menu Wednesday, Syria

About the food of Syria

May 14, 2013 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

Oh, Syria. This wedge-shaped land spreads from the west, where she dips delicately into the Mediterranean sea, back to the east, up, over the mountains, all the way to the Iraqi border. Along the way, her cliffs and canyons smooth out into hot desert and scrubby grasslands. Lost, towards the south, is the ancient city of Damascus, quite possibly the world's oldest city according to National Geographic. While Damascus has all the allure of a teeming city and world heritage site, the fun … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Syria, Travel Tuesday

Monday Meal Review: Switzerland

May 13, 2013 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

httpv://youtu.be/ItSbbLTJpAs I can't stop thinking about those three girls that were found last week: Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Gina DeJesus. Also on my mind is Mr Ramsey, the man who stepped forward and kicked in the door to free the girls. Friends, it is so important to step up when we're called. Is it scary? Yes. Can it be dangerous? Yes. But what else is life for, than helping each other? I'm not by nature a hero. Once, when I was in my mid-twenties, I heard a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Monday Meal Review, Switzerland