Global Table Adventure

Monday Meal Review: Nepal

June 18, 2012 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

THE SCENE Slowly, slowly I fold the momos, turning them into little moons. I am relaxed. My fingers work, awkwardly at first, but gradually pick up a gentle, gliding smoothness as my muscles memorize the steps. Folding these dumplings feels like meditation. Whenever I try to rush the process, everything collapses and the folding becomes a source of frustration instead of peace. So I keep my movements measured and slow. I keep a towel under my elbows, to catch stray bits of filling. I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Monday Meal Review, Nepal

Recipe: Dhal Baht | Vegan Spiced Yellow Split Peas

June 17, 2012 By Sasha Martin 14 Comments

If you wake up in Nepal, chances are you'll be eating Dhal Baht. In fact, you'll probably also eat Dhal Bhat as the sun bobs below the horizon. Nothing wrong with eating the same dish twice in one day. There's a beautiful simplicity in waking up and knowing that, as certain as the sun will circle the sky, there will be Dhal Bhat. Ah, yes. There's something to be said for consistency. And for not having to make quite so many decisions during the day. I'm not sure what in my life is that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Nepal, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Crystal Crunch “Fudge” (Besan Burfi) w/ poll

June 15, 2012 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

No matter where you live in this great, glorious world, you know someone with a mega sweet tooth. Someone who can't get enough of the sugary, fingerlickin' foods. This person can't be trusted with a cookie jar and - I'm here to tell you right now - they most certainly can't be trusted alone with a platter of Besan Burfi. And, really, can you blame them? Besan Burfi, popular throughout Nepal and India, tastes a little like sugar cookie dough... a little like a dreamy pistachio flower ... and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Finger Food, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Nepal, Potluck Friendly, Sweets, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian

Recipe: Vegetarian Momos

June 14, 2012 By Sasha Martin 15 Comments

Today let's stove top travel to Nepal, sit in the afternoon sunshine, and make our own little mountain ranges, good enough to eat. Momos are carefully folded dumplings, each crease like a ridge in the most glorious of mountains, Mount Everest. (Did you know Nepal has 8/1o of the world's tallest mountains?) This is a recipe for quiet days. Contemplative days. Days when you want to be more, learn more... and find out what you're made of. With each fold you evolve. Listening becomes easier. Being … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Finger Food, International Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Nepal, Pasta, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetarian

Menu: Nepal

June 13, 2012 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

There's nothing quite so wonderful as preparing food for friends, especially when there are special requirements. For our Nepali Global Table I was tasked to prepare an entirely vegetarian meal so I could share it with my vegetarian friend, her daughter, and husband. I loved it! This "constraint" (which I use very loosely as I eat vegetarian much of the time) meant that I got to look through Nepali recipes with a vegetarian filter. Ironically, this opened my eyes to many dishes I might not … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Menu Wednesday, Nepal

About the food of Nepal

June 12, 2012 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

Flag of Nepal. Photo by Christopher Macsurak

As you fly into Nepal, the first thing you might see is Mount Everest, rising up through the clouds like the spirit of the earth stretching in greeting to the sky. Once in town you'll find monkeys eating with the pigeons and ambling through the cobblestone streets, baby following mother. A bus, loaded up with people (even on the very roof top) might zip by on your left, British-style. Curiously, this is the only country in the world that has a zig-zag looking flag, as opposed to a rectangle. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Nepal, Travel Tuesday