Global Table Adventure

Monday Meal Review: Portugal

October 15, 2012 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

The older I get, the harder it is to find time to give. I am so wrapped up in my own life - my own business - that I forget that the easiest way to make the world smile is to give back. There's a Portuguese proverb that reads: What is bought is cheaper than a gift. I had to reread the proverb several times to really grasp the meaning. I don't think it means that we all need to be on Pinterest, super-crafting gifts for everyone (although that's fun, too). While the proverb implies that a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Monday Meal Review, Portugal

Recipe: Tuna & Chickpea Salad | Atum com Grão

October 14, 2012 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

Paulo from Portugal told me Atum com Grão is the salad he served at his wedding. The wedding was in France, but they wanted to imbue the reception with a taste of his homeland. Being a very visual person, I immediately imagined his elegant, windswept bride in flowing white gown, chowing down on tuna and chickpeas tossed with onion, lemon juice, and parsley. To be honest, I relish the thought of a bride with tuna and onion breath. How brave. How confident! How awesome these people … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Portugal, Salads, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Seafood

Recipe: Kale, Potato & Chorizo Soup | Caldo Verde

October 12, 2012 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

Under the glimmering night skies of Portugal, lines of people snake through the streets, waiting for steaming hot bowls of Caldo Verde. This is the nightclub crowd. The night shift crowd. And the I-can't-sleep-again-because-I'm-thinking-of-him crowd. I was once a part of this group, wearing high heels until they ached. I was much too young to be out so late at night, but there was nothing like sizzling, steaming European street food to keep the evening's excitement alive, even at four in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Meat, Portugal, Potatoes, Soups

Recipe: Chorizo Rolls | Pão com Chouriço

October 11, 2012 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

There are three ways to avoid the awkward party phenomenon. 1. You can get to the party early enough to snag a good seat on the couch. 2. You can bring a friend (it's a well documented fact that, if you have a friend at your side, you'll have someone to talk to when you don't feel like dancing, someone to laugh with when you do feel like dancing, and someone to make sure you don't do anything silly during the twilight zone part of the party). 3. Then there's these rolls. Oh boy. Show … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breads, Carbs, Europe, International Recipes, Meat, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Portugal, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes

Menu: Portugal (& Giveaway)

October 10, 2012 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

There's a Portuguese saying "A caridade começa em casa," or "Charity begins at home." And what better way, than with food? This is the time of year to cook for friends, friends of friends, and not yet friends. This is the time of year to burst into a quiet room with the scent of freshly baked bread. When the gray skies hang low, you can be the entertainment in your home, office, and community. For starters, you can make a lot of people happy with Portuguese bread - especially when stuffed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Menu Wednesday, Portugal

About the food of Portugal

October 9, 2012 By Sasha Martin 15 Comments

I'm not sure what I was thinking, but for some reason I had Portugal all wrong. I forgot about the impossible mountaintop castles, surrounded by water (and here's another). I forgot about turquoise waters that swaddle neon villages. As for the food? I didn't even have fish on my radar which is surprising, considering 1. most of Portugal's border is coastal, 2. We've cooked Portuguese inspired food before, including Grilled Prawns with Piri Piri from Angola. Hello. Overcoming my extreme … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Portugal, Travel Tuesday