Global Table Adventure | North America

About the food of Mexico

April 3, 2012 By Sasha Martin 16 Comments

My first time to Mexico was all "rainbows and puppy dogs." In fact, the only reason I got to go was because a co-worker broke up with his girlfriend and his two free tickets were simply passed down the line to me. A totally free vacation! In all my 27 years I had never won anything like this. The scene was set for perfection. There was just one catch: I found out on a Tuesday. The flight took off on a Thursday. There wasn't much time to plan. Keith (a.k.a. Mr Picky) - who had been my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mexico, North America, Travel Tuesday

Monday Meal Review: Jamaica

August 29, 2011 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

THE SCENE: My lips started off with a low-grade tingle and then flared up into a fire engine burn. Careful not to touch the jerk seasoning again, I put the lid back on the blender. "So that's what three habeneros taste like." I said to the faded photo of my Great Aunt, Lulla Rina. She smiled back at me, as she had for decades. She was holding my brother Damien - a chubby baby boy - in her soft, grandmotherly arms. He'd be 33 if he were alive today. And he'd probably love … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Jamaica, Monday Meal Review, North America

Recipe: Jamaican Jerk Chicken

August 28, 2011 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

Serves 4 There's no way around it. Jerk chicken is supposed to be blacker than a starry night - and more sizzlin' than that smokin' hot hotty you wake up to every morning (Hi, Keith!). Typically cooked in a barrel smoker, Jerk gets it's distinctive flavor and color from low, slow cooking over smouldering all spice wood. The long cooking time gets the jerk seasoning extremely caramelized. Now, for those of you who want to go all out, you can easily get your meat much darker than mine … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Grilling, International Recipes, Jamaica, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Poultry, Sasha's Favorite Recipes

Recipe: Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

August 28, 2011 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

Makes about 3 cups Are you in need of a lil' pep in your step? Do you want to go beyond your comfort zone? Would you like to make your taste buds burn with the fire of Jamaican delight? I am. I do. I would. Also, a friend's birthday is coming up, and she loves spicy food. In a pretty bottle, with a cute recipe card, jerk seasoning makes quite the fabulous gift. So, join me friends. Let's go on a stovetop journey to the clear waters of Jamaica, where we can heat things up for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: International Recipes, Jamaica, North America, Seasoning Blends & Pickles

Celebrate Christmas like a Jamaican (Recipe: Sorrel Drink)

August 26, 2011 By Sasha Martin 16 Comments

Makes at least 1 1/2 quarts (more, depending on how much you dilute it) August has drug on too long. I know because the mosquitoes have given up for the summer. Not a one can be found. They've been cooked off. I've been shriveling up, too. Thankfully a few of our readers suggested I try sorrel, Jamaica's perky, often spiked answer to iced tea, typically served at Christmastime. Sorrel is better than pouring a bucket of ice down your back. And it's (literally) cooler than mulled wine … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol, Alcohol-Free, Cold, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Jamaica, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, North America, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged With: Bissap, Hibiscus

Recipe: Jamaican Escovitch Fish

August 25, 2011 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

Makes enough Escovitch topping for 2-3 meals. I've long adored the British tradition of dousing Fish and Chips with vinegar. In fact, I like to add enough vinegar for my fish to swim in. Sure, Keith won't kiss me for days afterwards, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Well, this week I learned about Jamaican Escovitch, based on Spanish Escabéche. Escovitch is like taking your fried fish on a trip to vinegar city, on a vinegar boat, through vinegar nation At it's most … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breakfast, International Recipes, Jamaica, North America, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Seafood

Menu: Jamaica

August 24, 2011 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

“Me only have one ambition, y'know. I only have one thing I really like to see happen. I like to see mankind live together - black, white, Chinese, everyone - that's all.” Bob Marley I'm with Bob on this one. I'd just like to add one thing - my vision also includes kittens, rainbows, and puppy dogs. And grouchy turtles. They're important, too. As I've said before, we can't create peace alone -we have to set a Global Table and invite everyone to dinner. And we'll need a few animals to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Jamaica, Menu Wednesday, North America

About the food of Jamaica

August 23, 2011 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

Sunset on 7 Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica. Photo by Chaoleonard.

Seems like everyone I know has been to Jamaica - usually, for a wedding, their honeymoon, or spring break. Or a scary combination of all three. (I shudder to think). While many visitors stick to strolling the soft sands and wading in the clear waters, some seek out other adventures, like ecological river tours, climbing sheer waterfalls, and exploring local museums. While all this sounds fantastic, my stove top Adventure is clear. You see, back when I made the Caribbean Green … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Jamaica, North America, Travel Tuesday