Global Table Adventure

Monday Meal Review: Slovenia

February 25, 2013 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

"What you build easily will fall quickly" - Slovenian Proverb I rarely take the time to bake any more. Life keeps getting in the way. Meetings, obligations - the stuff of adulthood. This week, thanks to Slovenia, I had the opportunity to use my hands to shape, braid, and decorate an ornate loaf of Slovenian Heart Bread. As I worked, I was surprised to find myself overcome with relief. Working flour, water, egg, sugar, and butter together into a smooth ball felt like an old friend, come home … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Monday Meal Review, Slovenia

Recipe: Bean n’ Barley Soup | Ričet

February 22, 2013 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

Slovenia is known for her soups - each bite captures the taste of the earth and sky, rolling hills and grand mountains. They are the answer to frosted windows, the worst sort of bone-chill, and that scratchy feeling in the back of the throat. Slovenian soup is the sunshine to your snowy day. Today, in particular, we explore Ričet, one of the more beloved soups found throughout Slovenia. She's made with barley, a soft, earthy grain that reminds me faintly of pasta, but chewier … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Slovenia, Soups, Vegetables/Pulses

Recipe: Braided Heart Bread | Pleteno Srce

February 21, 2013 By Sasha Martin 19 Comments

We are closing in on spring ... that special time of year, when weddings and baby showers sprinkle our calendars, and everything is awash in the promise of new love. In Slovenia, such times are marked with Pleteno Scre - an ornamental, braided, tender loaf of bread, shaped into a heart. Pleteno Scre is an honored gift. The slightly sweet loaves are painstakingly decorated with edible tokens, like wedding rings and flowers (as I have done), or even astonishingly detailed birds, or paper thin … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breads, Europe, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Slovenia, Technique Thursday, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian

Menu: Slovenia

February 20, 2013 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

"Pray for a good harvest, but keep on hoeing." - Slovenian Proverb This old Slovenian proverb teaches a clear lesson: it is the work we put into life that ultimately leads to the "good harvest." We must roll up our sleeves and put in the hard hours and back breaking labor. There's simply no escaping it. Case in point: Slovenia is known for her comforting food, seemingly plucked straight from the countryside, but much goes into the effort, whether it be the extra fancy, ornate Pleteno Srce … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Menu Wednesday, Slovenia

About the food of Slovenia

February 19, 2013 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

Ptuj, Slovenia. Photo by Marcin Gierszner.

This week we explore a land of sharp mountains and sunlit grasses, where sheep meander and grapevines hang heavy with fruit. This is Slovenia, a natural wonderland, a place where the simple way of life is preferred. Nowhere is this clearer, than in the food. There are salads of bitter dandelion greens (harvested from right outside the back door) tossed with potato and hard-boiled egg, and bowls of sliced cucumbers in sour cream. There are turnip strudels (!) and cranberry stuffed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Slovenia, Travel Tuesday

Monday Meal Review: Slovakia

February 18, 2013 By Sasha Martin 23 Comments

"Everything bad is good for something." - Slovak Proverb Have you ever done something, only to find it didn't work out as you'd planned... but somehow it worked out even better? Last week I casually substituted a video for my written meal review. I thought it'd be a fun change of pace- a more visceral experience for you. Almost immediately, the comments filled with a resounding "no," - an outcry that was astonishing both in it's passion as in it's consistency. Almost every single person … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Monday Meal Review, Slovakia

Recipe: Slovak Sour Bean Soup

February 17, 2013 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

When winter raindrops slide down the glass... when the droplets are so close to ice that they sting on my wind-chapped face... there's nothing better than a piping hot bowl of soup. Thankfully for me, Slovakia knows what's what in this department. The fine people of Slovakia could probably make this staple soup with their eyes shut, and - for the first part, at least - that's exactly what they do. While the house slumbers under the bright moon, a quiet bowl of bean sits in the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Potatoes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Slovakia, Soups

Recipe: Grilled Garlicky Bacon Bread | Hrianka

February 15, 2013 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

"Better to eat bread in peace, than cake amidst turmoil." - Slovak Proverb Oh, Slovakia. My husband has been woo'd, my daughter smitten. As for me, I'm in love. No, it's not because of Valentine's Day. It's because of Bacon. Garlic. Oh, and a nice, thick slice of Sourdough Rye Bread. Yes... Slovakia really did us in when it comes to Hrianka. At her most basic, Hrianka is plain toast rubbed with garlic. At her most beautiful, she's a collection of hearty slices griddled … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breads, Europe, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Meat, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Slovakia