Global Table Adventure

Recipe: Yummy Lomi Lomi (with poll)

February 24, 2012 By Sasha Martin 13 Comments

I almost can't believe how easy it is to chat with people from around the world now a days - to get to know each other - to learn from each other - to celebrate each other. To raise a glass to each other. Sometimes I get recipe ideas from books. Sometimes readers email me recipes. But today's recipe for "Lomi Lomi" comes from an altogether different place. And it sparkles like the ocean on a sunny day. Last week I knew nothing about this poolside sipper. In fact, had I not begun a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol-Free, Asia, Cold, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, Maldives, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetarian

Recipe: Toasted Coconut Paste for Curries (Kerisik) (w/ poll)

February 17, 2012 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

If you want to feel totally epic, trying making kerisik, a toasted, ground coconut paste that looks a great deal like natural peanut butter. Kerisik is used in Malaysia to thicken and flavor curries, like Beef Rendang. There's something incredibly rewarding about making your own, whether you do it the traditional way (in a mortar and pestle) or the modern way (in a food processor). In just ten minutes your entire home fills with the warm smell of toasted coconut. For my kerisik, I used 14 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, Malaysia, Seasoning Blends & Pickles, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Vanilla Bean n’ Tropical Fruit (w/ poll)

February 3, 2012 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

Vanilla beans might as well be jewels. The insides are full of teeny, tiny black caviar - the likes of which I can't help but want all over my ice cream and baked goods... I even like to dab vanilla extract on my wrists when baking. Suffice it to say, I'm a fan. Now, imagine yourself in a country like Madagascar, where there are enough vanilla beans to pave the streets. There, thanks to such quantity, the people use vanilla bean caviar much more whimsically than I can ($8 per bean, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Finger Food, Fruit, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, Madagascar, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Lithuanian-Inspired Deviled Eggs with Mushrooms (with poll)

January 13, 2012 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

Once, when I was in my first decade of life, I stared at a platter of chilled, "eyeball eggs," as I called them, and vowed to never, ever eat one. A temper tantrum may, or may not have been involved. Now, two decades later, here I am, on the other side of the fence, albeit somewhat mystified how it came to be that I now scan buffets for the little suckers. I think the name says it all; like the neighborhood bad boy, the deviled egg is a love-it or hate-it treat. And, as with wine and coffee, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Finger Food, Fun Friday, Lithuania, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetarian

Recipe: Wooden Spoon Applesauce (with poll)

January 6, 2012 By Sasha Martin 19 Comments

Sometimes I buy fruit and it just... sits there. Life takes over. I go for hikes, I play catch with my daughter, I eat the candy from my stocking, and... before I know it, I just forget to eat them. I do this a lot with apples because they last so long and are so forgiving. Eventually, the time comes when they lose a bit of shine and a few bruises pop up. If this should happen to you, applesauce is the way to go. I didn't realize how easy it would be to make until I did it this week. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Fruit, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, Liechtenstein, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sauces & Dressings, Vegan, Vegetarian

Globally inspired New Year’s Drinks for your every mood

December 30, 2011 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

When it comes to New Year's Eve, I'm moody. Some years I want to stay up all night, partying with all the time zones, the whole world over. Some years I am so tired I can't even stay up to watch the ball drop on TV. More often than not, I'm snoring by 10 p.m. The nice thing about cooking the world is learning that there is most definitely a drink for every mood, no matter what time you drink it - no matter if you're in a crowd or totally (and happily) alone. So, come along, no matter … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fun Friday, Global Table, Holidays

Recipe: Snuggly Warm Mango and Cloves (w/ poll)

December 16, 2011 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

Welcome to my weakness. The mango. If you've been paying attention, you may have noticed I make a lot of recipes with this heavenly fruit. Quite possibly I've made more mango recipes than anything else. Everything about the mango is perfect. Sweet. Golden. Juicy. And, right now, totally in season. So, go find one (or five hundred). Rain or shine. Market in Liberia. Photo by Kipp Jones. In Liberia they like to chop them up and cook them with cloves. About four cloves will give the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Fruit, Fun Friday, Liberia, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Moroko Mash (w/ poll)

December 9, 2011 By Sasha Martin 13 Comments

Today I'm partnering with your mother. It's cold outside. Let's all bundle up in our favorite fuzzy-wild-animal-looking hoodies. Let's wear face masks and giant mittens. And let's definitely eat our vegetables. Lots and lots of veggies. Today's recipe is inspired by moroko, a dish enjoyed in the African country, Lesotho. Typically, Moroko is made with onions and greens, sauteed in oil with a bit of broth, not unlike the Kale (Sukuma Wiki) we made recently for Kenya. Moroko can be made … [Read more...]