Global Table Adventure

Menu: Sweden

May 1, 2013 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

"Att våga är att tappa fotfästet en stund, att inte våga är att förlora sig själv." "To dare is to lose your foothold for a moment, to not dare is to lose yourself." (Strom, 1981)* Oh, this week. This beautiful week of Swedish cooking. As with all the "big hitter" countries, I entered this week with trepidation. It wasn't because of the entree. I knew I'd make Swedish meatballs from the moment I began this Adventure. No, the main reason I was a bundle of nerves had everything to do … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Menu Wednesday, Sweden

About the Food of Sweden

April 30, 2013 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

While I haven't been to Sweden, I have dated a Swede. And that just might be everything, ever. At least, when it comes to Swedish food. The one thing about dating a genuine Swede, is that you might begin to think you're in Sweden for the duration of the relationship; their national pride and is that strong. Especially if he still lives with his mother. And why not? This is a stunning land, full of thick, verdant forests, airy, breathtaking mountains, and the crunch of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Sweden, Travel Tuesday

Monday Meal Review: Spain

March 25, 2013 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

httpv://youtu.be/GhewyOidN8w The more I need to laugh, the more I hole myself up in solitude. Does that make me an introvert? This week I holed up... major. I watched my paella turn canary yellow while my husband and daughter played in the yard. The trees were budding. The birds were singing. But I stood in my windowless kitchen. I stared into the paella as it plumped up. I wondered if I could drink in the steam coming off the rice, and whether or not it would conjure up the most honest sort … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Monday Meal Review, Spain

Recipe: Churros with Cinnamon Sugar

March 24, 2013 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

Much to my husband's dismay, I am not well acquainted with deep-fried desserts. There is one exception: the apple cider doughnuts mom made when I was little. She'd set up a giant pot of bubbling oil and we'd cut and drop discs of cider dough into the shimmering oil, waiting with glee until tiny donuts bobbed up to the surface, golden brown and irresistible. Then we rolled the puffy rounds in cinnamon sugar. But then... this week... Spain introduced me to Churros... and the words "deep … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breakfast, Europe, Finger Food, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Spain, Sweets, Vegetarian

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