Global Table Adventure

Recipe: Balkan Burger (with poll)

May 11, 2012 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

You don't have to know how to pronounce it to enjoy eating it. Pljeskavica. If this long, meandering string of letters makes you stutter, just clap your hands, because that's what Pljeskavica means - the sound of hands clapping as the "Balkan burger" patties are formed. And this is not just a big word. This is big food. This is the original "super-size." Not only are the patties large enough to cover a small plate, they contain as many as 6 cuts of meat from three different animals. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Fun Friday, Grilling, Meat, Montenegro, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Recipes, Sandwiches/Wraps/Packets

Recipe: Mongolian Carrot Salad (w/ Poll)

May 4, 2012 By Sasha Martin 13 Comments

In Mongolia, the seemingly endless parade of meat, meat, and more meat, is only occasionally interrupted by vegetables. And, even then, relief doesn't come with a garden salad, but rather some combination of root vegetables. This is because there really isn't a whole lot of good farmland in the giant, cold, central Asian country - only the hardiest specimens make it. In the big city, versions of this simple carrot salad can be found, either dressed in a vinaigrette (as I have done) or in a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mongolia, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Salads, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Chickpea Crepes (Socca)

April 27, 2012 By Sasha Martin 6 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, Monaco, Random Carbs & Grains, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Moldovan Preserved Peppers

April 20, 2012 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

Logistically speaking, peppers make for really great dinners. They're healthy. They're big on sweet, juicy flavor. The don't go bad quickly. And they go with nearly anything. But when you have a veggie garden, figuring out how to use up all your peppers can be a nightmare. Heck, even if you don't garden it can be a challenge to take advantage of the fresh produce at the market (hello, sale prices!). Today, thanks to Moldova, we're going to solve that. We've already had several great … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, Moldova, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Seasoning Blends & Pickles, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Pineapple Papaya Coco Sipper (with poll)

April 13, 2012 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

It took Micronesia to get me excited about a smoothie. Don't get me wrong - I love smoothies. After a while, though, they all taste the same. Until now. This smoothie blushes, straight from the easy, breezy islands. Why? Because out of the soft, sweet flavor of papaya and pineapple comes the daring zip of fresh lime juice. Adding lime juice to a smoothie may sound strange, but Micronesians know - this is like adding a hint of key lime pie to your drink. A bit of soprano … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol-Free, Cold, Fruit, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, Micronesia, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Oceania, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Strawberry Almond Horchata

April 6, 2012 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

There should be a rule. Whenever the weather is sunny and fine, when it is hot enough to swim in the deep seas - you should absolutely swim. Even if you forgot your bathing suit. Likewise, if you are ever offered horchata - the famous Mexican summertime sipper - consider yourself lucky and drink, drink, drink. The freedom of swimming, no matter what - that's what I taste in this drink. This is a summer's worth of happy - chilled and served with a straw. You'll taste almond and rice milk. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol-Free, Cold, Fruit, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, Mexico, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, North America, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian

Recipe: Sweet Potatoes & Fried Bananas (with poll)

March 16, 2012 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

The thing about eating our way around the world is that it makes me realize how very similar we all are. I don't mean the little things. I mean at our core. We all want to be happy. We all want love. We all get tired and we all get silly. I've even come to learn that we eat mostly the same foods, just in different combinations. Take today's recipe, for example... I've spent most of my life eating bananas in cereal and sweet potatoes with butter and chives. But today ... today we're … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, Marshall Islands, Oceania, Potatoes, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Maltese Stuffed Artichokes (Qaqoċċ Mimli) (w/ poll)

March 9, 2012 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

I often wonder how many people walk by their supermarket's artichoke display squinting their eyes, unsure of what to do with this prickly porcupine of a vegetable. Being part Italian, I grew up eating artichokes and often take them for granted. I was thrilled this week to read that the Maltese also enjoy a giant, stuffed-to-the-brim artichoke - giving me a chance to indulge yet another time. A stuffed-to-the-brim artichoke is my favorite movie snack. Perfect Friday night fun. The challenge … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Fun Friday, Malta, Recipes, Vegetables/Pulses