Global Table Adventure

About the food of Sierra Leone

January 29, 2013 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

Woman and child in Mile 91, Sierra Leone. Photo by Annabel Symington.

I recently watched a video from the BBC about Sierra Leone in preparation for today, which asks the question "Is the Global Media too negative about Africa"? Great question. I have my answer, and if you've been around this blog for more than five minutes, you can probably guess what it is. My mission is to build up the positive stories, for every country, no matter what. Please note, you should not ignore the negative. We need to be aware. To do our part. This is vital. But you'll just … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Sierra Leone, Travel Tuesday

Monday Meal Review: Seychelles

January 28, 2013 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

I was an hour into researching the food of Seychelles when it hit me - hadn't there been someone in my writer's group who went to these amazing islands a year or so back? Images of suggestive two-lobed coconuts and pirate stories popped into my brain. Yep. That's right. Barry had been there. Barry who lives the life of a wandering bachelor, who jets off at the drop of a hat to see this place or that, and who loves to tell the tales almost as much as going. Barry who might be in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Monday Meal Review, Seychelles

Recipe: Massalé Spice Blend

January 27, 2013 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

The spice drawer is the most sensual part of any kitchen. On the inside seemingly innocuous dry, brittle seeds rattle around, each with the power to take our minds from continent to content, country to country. All we need is a little warmth to coax their magic out and something like a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle. Today's daydream takes us the Seychelles where they enjoy this haunting spice blend called "massalé" (a variation on Indian garam masala) in coconut fish curries. The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, International Recipes, Seasoning Blends & Pickles, Seychelles

Recipe: Creamy Coconut & Banana Tart

January 25, 2013 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

Imagine sitting by the sea one lazy afternoon, focused on the tattered nets of nearby fishing boats, when something big and hard bumps against your foot. When you look down, you see a giant, two lobed coconut has washed up, onto the sand. From end to end, this coconut is as long as your forearm, with tufts of hair poking out between the brown, oblong lobes. She would have traveled hundreds (thousands!) of miles to reach you, all the way from the Seychelles. And you'd know she came from … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Fruit, International Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Seychelles, Technique Thursday, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian

Recipe: Coconut Fish Curry | Cari de Poisson

January 24, 2013 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

When the sun dips low and spreads her rouge all over the sky, I enjoy knowing that this glorious watercolor of light travels around the world like a comet, leaving behind a glowing trail for all to see. No matter where they are from, or where they are going. The sun has universal beauty. It makes me smile to know that, somewhere in the Seychelles - half a world away - they, too, see her rose and curried colors curl through the clouds, right before bedtime. And I imagine that maybe, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Seafood, Seychelles, Technique Thursday

Menu: Seychelles (& giveaway)

January 23, 2013 By Sasha Martin 43 Comments

Mr Picky flew to Washington D.C. for work, so Ava and I are spending this week "mother-daughter" style. We've already made banana muffins, hot cocoa (Guatemalan-style), and stuffed artichokes (my mother's recipe from Italy). And there's the coconuts. Coconut milk. Shredded coconut. Toasted coconut. We're surrounded, thanks to our stovetop travels to the Seychelles. While we ate this particular menu before Keith left, I'm considering recreating it one more time since I still have plenty … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Menu Wednesday, Seychelles

About the food of the Seychelles

January 22, 2013 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

The spectacular beach of Grand Anse on the island of La Digue, Seychelles. Photo by Tobias Alt.

"Water, water, every where. But not a drop to drink." This week we're stovetop traveling through the lush, greenery of 115 African islands, whose soft sands and coral beds peep out between the waves of the Indian Ocean. This is the Seychelles. In this tree carpeted and sand brushed landscape, fresh water is so scarce, it's presence is officially designated as "negligible." Looking outward towards the turquoise ocean, there's a sense of calm. Looking inwards towards the granite … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Seychelles, Travel Tuesday

Monday Meal Review: Senegal

January 14, 2013 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

"Little by little one catches the monkey in the jungle." - Senegalese Proverb* A reader recently asked me what my New Year's Resolutions were. I'm almost loathe to admit that I spent New Year's Eve fast asleep, head pressed firmly into my dreams, but the reality of the matter is that the only place I wanted to be at midnight was fast asleep in my cozy nest of blankets. Our bedroom holds steady at 64 degrees, guaranteeing that the tip of my nose stays cold all through the night, which makes … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Monday Meal Review, Senegal