Global Table Adventure | North America

Celebrate Christmas like a Jamaican (Recipe: Sorrel Drink)

August 26, 2011 By Sasha Martin 14 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, Jamaica, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, North America, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged With: Bissap, Hibiscus

Recipe: Jamaican Escovitch Fish

August 25, 2011 By Sasha Martin 5 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, Jamaica, North America, Recipes, 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

Monday Meal Review: Haiti & Honduras

June 20, 2011 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

Keith's parents would be here in just a few hours. I went to the window. Blue and clear. A good time as any to get cooking. I tore open the gelatin and whisked it together with warm water until dissolved. Next, I cracked open the thick white coconut milk, and swirled it with the rest of the ingredients, stopping to dab a little vanilla extract on my wrists. Time for the stove top. I clicked on the burner and let things heat up. After a moment, the smell of summer billowed up. I poured … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Haiti, Honduras, Monday Meal Review, North America

Recipe: Blancmange (Haitian Coconut Fruit Jello)

June 19, 2011 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

Makes a 1 1/2 quart, large molded dessert There's something about jello that's so 1897. So Victorian. So old-school. So... over-the-top-retro. You see, 1897 is the magic year gelatin and fruit syrup were first combined to make the wobbly dessert we're familiar with today. Fast forward through several decades and continents and you get today's recipe, blancmange. It's loaded up with evaporated and coconut milks, making it jello's creamy counter part. It's the reason Haiti's get up in the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fruit, Gluten Free Adaptable, Haiti, North America, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Vegetarian

Recipe: Crunchy Jicama & Chayote Salad

June 19, 2011 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

Makes 1 large bowl If you've never had jicama or chayote, you're in for a real treat. Jicama is watery and crunchy, a lot like water chesnuts, but mildly sweet. Chayote is in the squash family, and you can taste it. When dressed with a splash of lime and orange juice, the salad brings together the tropical flavors of Central America. Ingredients: 1 jicama, peeled and sliced into matchsticks 1 chayote, sliced into matchsticks 2-3 large oranges, segmented 1/2 large red onion, sliced … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gluten Free Adaptable, Haiti, Honduras, North America, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Salads, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Caribbean Coconut Ice Cream

June 19, 2011 By Sasha Martin 1 Comment

Makes 5 cups I like to float around in easy, breezy sundresses all summer long. I also like to wear my hair short and laugh really loud at silly jokes. Finally, I like to eat ice cream by the gallon while squeezing my eyes really tight and imagining I'm on a Caribbean island. This is best done while nibbling on a cold spoonful of creamy coconut ice cream, made even sweeter by the fact that I didn't have to turn on the stove - not even for one second - to make it. Call me a glutton for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Haiti, Honduras, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, North America, Recipes, Sweets, Vegetarian