Global Table Adventure

Monday Meal Review: Panama

September 3, 2012 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

A canal cuts straight through Panama, dividing the skinny country and two great continents. Ships no longer have to pass around the southern-most tip of South America to circumnavigate the globe as they once did. They just slip right on through her middle. Each time a ship passes, 200 million liters of water slosh and gush through the opening. Incredible, the effect of a "little divider" like the Panama canal. Keith's new job means he's traveling a lot. One week of every month he just … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Monday Meal Review, North America, Panama

Recipe: Arroz con Pollo

September 2, 2012 By Sasha Martin 14 Comments

Pneumonia make cause my heart to race, my nerves to slacken, and my breathing to rasp, but it will never stop me from making my sweetheart his birthday dinner. To celebrate in style, I cobbled together the most unexpectedly glorious arroz con pollo. Unexpected, because I honestly wondered how great could chicken and rice be? Fantastic, turns out. Put your trust in centuries of Latin American and Spanish history; the next time you have a big dinner party, make arroz con pollo. Under a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, North America, Panama, Potluck Friendly, Poultry, Rice, Sasha's Favorite Recipes

Recipe: Plantain Chips with Sea Salt | Tostones

August 31, 2012 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

Fried plantain chips are a slice-it and deep-fry-it situation that you'll find all over Panama (and beyond). They're the kind of yummy you can enjoy whether you're grouchy and glum or over-the-moon happy. Today I made a nice "thick cut" chip - for a little crispy-chewy action, although tostones are often shaved skinny, like potato chip. Either way you'll find it helpful to use a mandolin for nice, even slices. This is nothing like a sweet banana (looks can be deceiving). This is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Finger Food, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, North America, Panama, Random Carbs & Grains, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Midnight Mocha Rum Cake

August 30, 2012 By Sasha Martin 21 Comments

Let's talk about world peace for a second. Pretty much everyone I know agrees we need a big dollop of it to make the world a happier place, but not many people know what this world loaded up with peace would actually look like. Except for that one image of children holding hands. While the notion of all our children holding hands is a beautiful image, I can't help but wonder where all the adults are. Why is it always just children? Are we so jaded that we think they're the only ones who … [Read more...]

Filed Under: International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, North America, Panama, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweets, Vegetarian

Menu: Panama (& Giveaway)

August 29, 2012 By Sasha Martin 59 Comments

I'm happy. Not only did I get to dig into an amazing rum cake this week, I also get to give one of you beautiful readers a nice treat. (More on that in a moment.) For now, I need to focus on one very special man - my husband. This week's Global Table was Mr. Picky's birthday luncheon. Happy Birthday, my love! The meal was hearty, delicious and, as always, a bit challenging for him. I must apologize for the fact that his birthday plate included such offenders as cilantro, olives, capers, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Menu Wednesday, North America, Panama

About the food of Panama

August 28, 2012 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

View of Isla Taboga, with Panama City in the background. Photo by Osopolar.

The skinny squiggle in Central America is Panama. Her spine crackles with mountains, while her shores undulate with soft, green hills. This is the tropics and, even in the winter, skirts and flowers flow freely, rum punch spills willy nilly, and banana leaf tamales make an all-star appearance with the likes of arroz con pollo (spiced rice with chicken and olives) [Recipe]. But it's the butterflies that catch my attention. With more than 1500 species in this tiny country, Panama has the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: North America, Panama, Travel Tuesday