Global Table Adventure | Côte d’Ivoire

Monday Meal Review: Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

November 8, 2010 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

This week we had a friend join us for our Global Table dinner. While this doesn't seem like a big deal, I assure you - it is. You see, we aren't really doing dinner parties any more. I could list all 97.5 reasons but I'd rather highlight the two most important reasons. 1. I don't like to vacuum. It makes Ava (and my back) cry. 2. We cook during Ava's nap. This means we're subject to the whims of a 16 month old. Whether she sleeps 45 minutes or 3 hours, can make or break our... sanity... … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Monday Meal Review

Recipe: Fat Rice with Beef & Carrots (Riz au Gras)

November 7, 2010 By Sasha Martin Leave a Comment

Serves 6 This spicy one pot dish is a meal unto itself. If you have a band of merry-men coming over for dinner, serve them heaping spoonfuls of this hearty and wholesome rice and they'll leave with full bellies and even merrier grins. While Riz au Gras is eaten throughout West Africa, 0ur version is from the Ivory Coast as taught me by Linda of Tropical Foodies. NOTE: You may cut down or omit the chili powder if you would like a mild dish. Ingredients: 3 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 small … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Meat, Potluck Friendly, Rice, Sasha's Favorite Recipes

Recipe: West African Shrimp in Avocado boats

November 7, 2010 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

Serves 6 This elegant appetizer showcases creamy avocado and delicate shrimp. Your guests will never know it only took you a few minutes to throw together (make the shrimp salad an hour or two ahead - cut the avocados immediately before serving). Ingredients: 1/2 lb cooked & cooled shrimp (shelled) 1T ketchup 1T mayo 1/4 of a fresh lime, juice (or to taste) 3 avocados, halved and pitted Method: Cut shrimp into little pieces. Behold the little nuggets of shrimp … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Seafood

Recipe: Fruit Salad Cote d’Ivoire

November 7, 2010 By Sasha Martin Leave a Comment

Serves 4 In the Ivory Coast, the people enjoy juicy, fresh fruit after their meals (if they eat dessert at all). Sweet mango and pineapple are common choices. Clearly, people of my own heart! Ingredients: 1 mango, cubed 1/2 a pineapple, cubed (or 1 20 ounce can of cubed pineapple) Method: First, slice up the mango. I'm going to show you how to cut a mango, step by step. There is a pit in the center, so cut with the flat side, being careful to stabilize the mango and not cut your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Breakfast, Côte d'Ivoire, Fruit, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Sweets, Vegan, Vegetarian

A trip down memory lane & 2 polls

November 5, 2010 By Sasha Martin 19 Comments

1. The Ivory Coast is one of the greatest producers of cocoa beans in the world. Little known fact: Ava still hasn't had any chocolate. Unless you count the one time I let her lick my spoon, from my ice cream. She's just so sweet, she doesn't need any added sugar! Just look... she came home from the hospital that way: 2. Staples of the Ivory Coast diet include grains - like rice and millet, and tubers - like cassava and yams. Ava's staples include noodles and rice. But if she could, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Fun Friday

Recipe: Smoked Turkey with Egusi sauce

November 4, 2010 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

Serves 4 We almost had another epic fail on our hands. Thankfully, however, Linda of Tropical Foodies saved the day. The end result? Creamy, smoky, turkey goodness. Read on to learn the critical lesson I learned about how to cook with melon seeds. Tulsa Shopping Connection: melon seeds are available in Tulsa at Ebute Metta Tropical Market. Pumpkin seeds are in the bulk section of Whole Foods. Ingredients: oil 1 small onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 smoked turkey … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Meat, Potluck Friendly, Poultry, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday

Menu: Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

November 3, 2010 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

You're not going to believe this. While we've been on this Adventure for 9 months and cooked 41 countries - a fairly significant chunk of time and cooking, if you ask me - somehow, some way, we still haven't made turkey. No wonder it has been so cold lately. All of Tulsa is being punished for my omission. Well, this week, we're shaking things up. I'm finally making a turkey dish. Thank you, Côte d’Ivoire, for giving me the impetus and snapping me out of my lack-of-turkey-dom. It was a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Menu Wednesday

About the Food of Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

November 2, 2010 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

Last week a gal named Linda emailed me. Turns out she's from the Ivory Coast and an alum from Wesleyan University, my alma mater. Get this - she wanted to know if she could share some of her favorite recipes from back home with me. Oh happy day! In case you're wondering, my answer is always "yes"! The more authentic dishes we can sample from actual locals, the more fun this Adventure will be! Thanks to Linda (and a few of her friends), this week's Global Table is going to be especially … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Travel Tuesday Tagged With: Ivory Coast, Tropical Foodies