Global Table Adventure

Monday Meal Review: Monaco

April 30, 2012 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

THE SCENE We have this crazy obsession, this culture of ours, with recording our memories. You've seen it before: a waiter delivers a beautiful meal to the table and, instantly, four cellphones fly up to "capture the moment." A minute later the photos are uploaded to Facebook. Suddenly, no one is paying attention to their beautiful dinner anymore - instead they're busy checking for likes and comments on Facebook. It's as if our experiences are somehow not valid if we don't snap a quick … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Monaco, Monday Meal Review

Recipe: Cognac n’ Herb Tapenade

April 29, 2012 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

Introducing the black diamond of Monaco: Tapenade. She glitters in the night. She belies the briny bite of the absolutely fabulous. But here's the thing. She's also, not so secretly, rustic. This dip and crostini topper has its origins in the grassy hills of Provence. Love for this treat spills over into Monaco and parts of Italy. While many people pulverize their blend to a paste (with a mortar and pestle or even a food processor), I prefer a rustic, coarse mixture. I like seeing the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dips, Europe, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Monaco, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetables/Pulses

Recipe: Chickpea Crepes (Socca)

April 27, 2012 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

I am ready for a day-dreamy sort of day. One where I walk along the pier and smell the salty, ocean air... On this easy-breezy day I'll nibble bits of crispy socca - an olive oil and chickpea based crêpe popular along the riviera. On this day I do not stumble. I do not stain my shirt. Nothing I say sounds silly and I'm free of heartache. Yes, there are days when a crêpe can do this for you... ...especially if enjoyed in glitzy Monaco, with diamonds on the soles of your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breads, Europe, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Monaco, Random Carbs & Grains, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Candied Cantaloupe & Cherry Almond Tart (Galapian)

April 26, 2012 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

. Very rarely does a dessert glisten as brilliantly as the Galapian. She's like unlike anything I've ever tasted before - slices of candied cantaloupe enrobed with a light almond cake, studded with brilliant maraschino cherry drops and glazed with lavender honey. . This movie star of a dessert was invented in 1994 by Alain Bouchard in Apt, a region of France near to Monaco. While a relatively new invention, it has all the glitz and glamour that is so enjoyed by the Monégasque. . While … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Fruit, International Recipes, Monaco, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian

Menu: Monaco

April 25, 2012 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

On this windy Wednesday I'm visiting with a friend who I haven't seen in seven years. We're laughing and reliving old memories. We're also experiencing Monaco, as I cook each of these dishes, one by one. Ava, each day bigger than the last, now helps serve the food. I'm all smiles. So what did I choose? For our week in Monaco I've chosen recipes fairly typical of the region - you'll find similar in France and in Italy (such is the life when en entire country spans only 0.76 square miles). … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Menu Wednesday, Monaco

About the food of Monaco

April 24, 2012 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

Monaco sparkles. Built right up on the scrubby, rocky, Mediterranean coastline, she's bustling with luxurious yachts, zipping Ferrari, and more Formula 1 fan-wear than anyone can sport in a lifetime. This is a place where you can pay $40 for a beer and $1,200 for vodka (just head over to Jimmy's Bar, according to Stepping the World). Incredible. It's hard to believe that all this flashiness can be built into a teeny tiny country like Monaco. She's the second smallest country in the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Monaco, Travel Tuesday