Global Table Adventure | Global Table Adventure

About the Food of South Sudan

April 9, 2013 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

South Sudanese children. Photo by Photo Credit: Karl Grobl, Education Development Center Inc.

It is a rare thing to bite into a new country; so often we think of our geopolitical landscape as static. But countries are no more static than the mountains which shift and crack, and spew forth anew from the earth's molten core. There are surges and separations, and somehow, from the same old earth, something new emerges. Which brings me to this week. South Sudan. The world's newest country (as of July 9, 2011). She's hot, tropical, and bursting with jungle and swampland. She's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Sudan (South), Travel Tuesday

Monday Meal Review: North Sudan

April 8, 2013 By Sasha Martin 14 Comments

httpv://youtu.be/T4I21D7rbQI If you could taste life, it would be salt of the earth, spice of the heavens. It would leave you thirsty, and yet it would quench you. When I see people sweat through complicated recipes to impress each other, rather that for fun, I wonder if they taste life... if they really drink it in. Because I've seen it. I've seen her. That girl who's crying before a dinner party because she's taken on a recipe that's much too complicated. Or because she's just … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Monday Meal Review, Sudan (North)

Recipe: Sudanese Flatbread | Gorraasa

April 7, 2013 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

Gorraasa is a soft, doughy bread enjoyed in the Sudan that tastes like a really thick tortilla. The texture is a bit more spongy, however, and when I pulled mine into pieces, I was delighted to find the slight elasticity at once addicting and good for picking up food. Which is exactly how the Sudanese use Gorraasa. They place a round of Gorraasa under stewed meats or other entrees, then tear off bits of the bread to pick up the food instead of using utensils. It can also be enjoyed on its … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Breads, Breakfast, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Sudan (North), Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Cucumber Yogurt Salad | Salatet Zabady bil ajur

April 5, 2013 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

A cucumber salad is a thing of beauty. It cools, it refreshes, and it provides important nutrition thanks to a happy scoop of yogurt and tons of fiber from the cucumber (not to mention garlic's anti-vampire qualities). While cucumber salads span the globe in one form or another, this version is popular through the Middle East, western Asia, and even parts of Europe (with minor variations). In Sudan, this salad can be enjoyed on it's own, as a dip* or on the side of spiced meats, like grilled … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Salads, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sudan (North), Vegetarian

Recipe: Sudanese Cinnamon Tea

April 4, 2013 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

Under the pulsing noonday sun, Tea Ladies line the streets of Sudan. They soak up what little shade they can find. Water simmers over charcoal stoves. They swirl a mishmash of ingredients through the steam, into the pot. You can pick your combination. Will it be mint? Or what about ginger? The most popular option for many patrons is cinnamon tea, a blend of black tea steeped with cinnamon sticks. Many patrons like to hold a sugar cube between the teeth while drinking to sweeten the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Alcohol-Free, Gluten Free Adaptable, Hot, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sudan (North), Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetarian

Menu: North Sudan

April 3, 2013 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

"Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fatted ox where there is hatred." Sudanese Proverb I'm taking this proverb to heart. This week happens to be a simple week. We're breathing easy with vegetables, grain, and tea. We're making room for love in a busy, busy time. The end result? This is a quick menu, something that can be made on a weeknight... without stress or strain. Thankfully, North Sudan accommodated us easily (and I felt guilt-free about going so simple since … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Menu Wednesday, Sudan (North)

About the food of North Sudan

April 2, 2013 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

If you wander through the deserts and hot winds of Sudan, you'll be rewarded with a collection of richly spiced and lemon-laced foods, and even cooling cucumber and yogurt salads [Recipe]. You'll recognize many dishes traditionally enjoyed by the Sudanese from our previous Global Table meals, such as ful medames (also enjoyed in Egypt), kofta, and basboosa (beloved throughout the Middle East). That basboosa cake? It's soaked with lemon and rosewater syrup. I could eat that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Sudan (North), Travel Tuesday

Monday Meal Review: Sri Lanka

April 1, 2013 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

httpv://youtu.be/nvo6WeVckBQ It all started about a month ago. While watching our new Sri Lankan friend, Iyona, prepare a dozen or so platters for Ruby's 40th birthday party, I noticed how little she measured. Anything. Nothing. Ruby seemed completely relaxed. Un-phased. (P.S. I'm pretty sure she'd pass for 22, right?!) Anyway. Back to the cooking. It was a dash of this. A heap of that. Cook it a while. Don't forget to stir. That was the extent of her … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Monday Meal Review, Sri Lanka

Recipe: Sri Lankan Yellow Rice | Kaha Bath

March 31, 2013 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

After you make this recipe, you will be haunted. Your home will blossom with the tropical scents of Sri Lanka. And your mouth will beg to remember each bite: the slightly toasted note from the curry leaves, the vanilla-like pandan, and the ultra creamy coconut milk. Not to forget the cinnamon, because.. well, how could we? This sweet, sweet earthiness pulls the rice together. Yes. When it comes to this rice, it's all good. Now, there's nothing simpler than this rice. This is an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Rice, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sri Lanka, Vegan

Fun Easter Recipes from Around the World

March 28, 2013 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

I always know when it's Easter. My daughter is surrounded by a sea of plastic eggs. Jelly beans and skittles show up in the oddest places. But sometimes I want something a little less commercial. A little more homemade. And a whole lot delicious. Here are my three favorite Easter recipes from our Global Table Adventure... they are perfect for a fun afternoon of baking with your family, or go fancy and make them for brunch. 1. Easter Cookies, a.k.a. Figolla from Malta … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holidays, International Recipes