Global Table Adventure | Menu Wednesday

Menu: Togo

June 19, 2013 By Sasha Martin Leave a Comment

The last three people I've told that I'm cooking Togo have asked me what kind of food Togo is, not realizing Togo is a small west African country. So, friends, let's learn together. Let's put the Togolese spirit on our tables... along with a bit of their food. We'll get to the menu we selected in a moment. First, let's discuss the 'spirit' part of the meal. This week, I sought out some inspirational words from Togo. I had no choice. I've been feeling overwhelmed lately. For starters, I'll … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Menu Wednesday, Togo

Menu: Thailand

June 12, 2013 By Sasha Martin Leave a Comment

"Friends for a meal are easy to find, friends until end of life are difficult to find" (Thai Proverb) Summer is the time of easy friendships, where the only things that matter are cold drinks, fresh food, and a patch of shade. Dinnertime is less strict, and I find myself veering towards later, lighter meals. Like this one. So now all you need is to find someone to share it with (P.S. Speaking of which, I can't decide if that Thai proverb is encouraging or discouraging, but there's one thing I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Menu Wednesday, Thailand

Menu: Tanzania

June 5, 2013 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

"The roaring lion kills no game" Tanzanian Proverb In honor of this all-too true saying from Tanzania, we're going all veggie this week. Truth is, I've been doing my fair share of 'roaring', which leaves me with a deficit of time for anything but quick (but fun!) dishes. Veggies fit the bill rather perfectly. In fact, our menu feels like a bulletin from Smokey the Bear, but without fires... and lots of veggies... "Thanks to Tanzania, you, too, can prevent veggie boredom!" Whether you're … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Menu Wednesday, Tanzania

Menu: Tajikistan

May 29, 2013 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

This week's theme is community and reunion. We spent the last ten days visiting my family, some of whom I haven't seen in nearly three years. Tajik food is often enjoyed from one giant platter, so the timing was perfect. I made three giant platters of plov, and all 18 of us came together around them (The bonus? Only three dishes to wash!) Lamb Plov [Recipe] Plov is popular throughout Western Asia, and for good reason. This is rice cooked with carrots, turnips, a half ton of onion, and bits of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Menu Wednesday, Tajikistan

Menu: Taiwan

May 22, 2013 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

This week, while we're visiting family in Boston and New Jersey, I'm sharing one simple celebration recipe with you... afterall, what is visiting family, if not a celebration! It's been more than a year since I've seen any family on my side (where does the time go?!)... the last time was when we cooked Maldives. Since one treat doesn't feel like nearly enough to represent an entire country, I thought I'd flash back to an old favorite from an earlier Global Table. As I mentioned on Tuesday, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Menu Wednesday, Taiwan

Menu: Syria

May 15, 2013 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

"If your friend is honey, don't lick him all." Syrian Proverb If I'm going to be honest, I'd have to say I'm not exactly sure what this proverb means (or, more to the point, I'm not sure I should be visualizing my friends as honey bears). My theory: the proverb is not literal (so few are), but it does teach that good things should not be taken advantage of. Lest we lick them all up. But what a vivid picture the Syrians paint to teach this message. The food is just as vivid. There are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Menu Wednesday, Syria

Menu: Switzerland

May 8, 2013 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

"Who doesn't honor the Rappen isn't worth the Franken" Swiss Proverb I'm not one to pass up a penny on the ground. If I were in Switzerland, I suppose I'd pick up a Rappen with the same thrifty care as any penny on our soil (Rappen are like Swiss Pennies). Apparently, I'm not alone. Enough Swiss people feel the same way, that they came up with the proverb at the top of this post: "Who doesn't honor the Rappen isn't worth the Franken" (100 Rappen make up a Franken). But this proverb isn't … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Menu Wednesday, Switzerland

Menu: Sweden

May 1, 2013 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

"Att våga är att tappa fotfästet en stund, att inte våga är att förlora sig själv." "To dare is to lose your foothold for a moment, to not dare is to lose yourself." (Strom, 1981)* Oh, this week. This beautiful week of Swedish cooking. As with all the "big hitter" countries, I entered this week with trepidation. It wasn't because of the entree. I knew I'd make Swedish meatballs from the moment I began this Adventure. No, the main reason I was a bundle of nerves had everything to do … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Menu Wednesday, Sweden