Eat your way around the world
THE SCENE "Look Ava," I said, "You can pick up the meat with your bread - it's called chaaa-paaa-teeee." Ava laughed. Then, without blinking, she screwed her face up tight and cried. Then she laughed. Then she threw her head back and tried to squirm out of her high chair. Ava was tired. Really tired. "Watch how mamma does," I continued, trying to stay upbeat. I tore a piece of the still warm chapati and used it to pinch a small piece of meat between my fingers. Trying to look … [Read more...]
Makes 6 Chapati I firmly believe flatbread has magical qualities. It can revive dull dinner conversation during that gaping time when the food seems like it'll never be ready. And, when the meal finally arrives, flatbread is there to happily house any number of visitors, including stews, sandwich fillings, spreads, dips, and cheeses. It can even make a grouchy baby happy again. I'm into it. Are you with me? Here's the short of it: I go to my happy place when presented with a … [Read more...]
Serves 4 Hello, sky. Have you been outside lately? It's amazing. The sky wants to swallow me up into a great big smile. Go ahead - check it out - take a look. See if it does the same thing to you, too. And the coolest part? That same sky you're looking at - I'm looking at it, too. We're all looking at it. Together. Over here, in Oklahoma-land, we're tiptoeing into fall. I know because I recently felt the first chill of winter - the one that hits you upon walking outside in flip … [Read more...]
Makes 1/4 cup seasoned salt for lots of corn goodness. Can you squeeze a lime? Can you smash chili peppers into a mini mound of salt? Can you grill corn? This is one of those recipes that you make on a day, much like today, when you want to prepare something impressive, but you can't be bothered to do very much. We owe it to the lovely people of Kenya: take a walk down their bustling streets and you'll likely find vendors selling roasted corn rolled in a spicy blend of chili, fresh … [Read more...]
Serves 2-4 When I look at this photo, my tummy literally rumbles. My mouth opens a little in expectation. I actually find it as appealing as my Guinness Chocolate Cake with Bailey's Buttercream that I made for Ireland. Weird, but true. What can I say? Mom taught me to eat my veggies. I've been trying to convince Mr. Picky. I've been working on Ava. My enthusiasm hasn't started a wildfire. Yet. Still, I'm here to tell you what every Kenyan knows - the simple truth - green food … [Read more...]
"Let us see, then tell." This Kenyan saying speaks to the importance of experiencing something before you can actually speak about it. All too often on this Adventure I have seen entire countries jump to life in my mouth, simply by tasting their food. The joy that hits me when I "get" a country on the first bite - it's like going from black and white movies to color - or silent films to talkies. Stovetop travel really does let me "see." In lieu of plane tickets I have pots and pans. In lieu of … [Read more...]
The best way to get out of a rut is to let someone in. To let someone help you. Just the other morning a very nice gentleman emailed me. In beautiful English he explains that he is from Kenya and - hurrah- he would like to help me with my Kenyan Global Table. His email was complete with a four page document of recipes, photos, and details about the food of his beloved homeland. Did he know that I was having a tough week? Did he know the wind had left my sails? No. He was simply … [Read more...]
