Global Table Adventure | Menu Wednesday

Menu: Sri Lanka

March 27, 2013 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

"When the dogs bark at the moon, the moon is not brought down because of it. " Sri Lankan Proverb I love this proverb. Sometimes we forget how much we shine, because of the "barking" all around us. Sometimes we listen to that barking, rather than listen to the truth of our own reality. The fact is: a little barking can't bring you and me down, no more than it can bring the moon down. Remember that, friends... you are beautiful. Keep on shining. The noise can't drown you out. And while … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Menu Wednesday, Sri Lanka

Menu: Spain

March 20, 2013 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

This is such an exciting week at the Global Table. We're finally cooking Spain. Let me tell you what... she's sweet, crunchy, saffron-loaded, and blooming with smoked paprika. And she's also... well... a little off. You see, I made a teeny weeny mistake on this menu (see Very Important Note #2, below). With humble apologies, I'd like to share this Spanish proverb and hope that we can be... One who draws water from stones. Saca agua de las pierdras.* i.e. Let's be resourceful and make … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Menu Wednesday, Spain

Menu: South Africa

March 13, 2013 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

There's an old South African saying which goes: "We begin with the meal before the water is boiling." - South African Proverb Wow. There is truth to these words. Mighty truth. Sure, preparation goes into everything we do, this South African menu is no exception. But that's not what this proverb is really about. This simple line draws attention to the work that goes into our meals before we ever set out to cook. Yes, we must go to the market. But even before that, someone had to grow … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Menu Wednesday, South Africa

Menu: Somalia

March 6, 2013 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

Somalia quite the melting pot, and this week's menu shows it. The food is peppered with a little bit of Italy (hello, tomato sauce & garlic!), a lot of east Africa (howdy, stewed meat with veggies!) and a smidgen of India (hey there, yellow, yellow turmeric!). I made this menu while Ava was home from school, so I purposefully chose recipes that were easy to make. That way I'd have more time to wiggle and spin my way through a toddler dance party. Priorities. Even with such … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Menu Wednesday, Somalia

Menu: Solomon Islands

February 27, 2013 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

When wind, ice rain, and snow blast our home, I shut my eyes and escape to Solomon Islands for a little imagination vacation. It doesn't become real, though, until I try the food. What I find, more than anything else, is that the traditional food relies heavily on that which can grow on the islands. This is limited to staples like coconut, papaya, taro, sweet potatoes, and cassava. There would have been a time when 80% of these ingredients would have scared me off. Not because there's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Menu Wednesday, Oceania, Solomon Islands

Menu: Slovenia

February 20, 2013 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

"Pray for a good harvest, but keep on hoeing." - Slovenian Proverb This old Slovenian proverb teaches a clear lesson: it is the work we put into life that ultimately leads to the "good harvest." We must roll up our sleeves and put in the hard hours and back breaking labor. There's simply no escaping it. Case in point: Slovenia is known for her comforting food, seemingly plucked straight from the countryside, but much goes into the effort, whether it be the extra fancy, ornate Pleteno Srce … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Menu Wednesday, Slovenia

Menu: Slovakia

February 13, 2013 By Sasha Martin 15 Comments

This week is a culinary jackpot: a frugal collection of recipes, good for using up bread, beans, and bacon fat. While I had no idea Slovakia would be this enticing, Keith said "just looking at the ingredients on the counter, I knew I'd be happy." And speaking of happy, I thought I'd share a great Slovakian quote about happiness... "He's so pleased, he keeps getting younger."* I love it.. although I have to admit, I'm not entirely sure what it means... All recipes and posts will be shared … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Menu Wednesday, Slovakia

Menu: Singapore

February 6, 2013 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

"Where there is a sea, there are pirates." Proverb from Singapore The funny thing about cooking food from a food lover's paradise, like Singapore, is that I expected the food to be complicated, full of obscure steps and hair-pulling finesse. Food pirates, so to speak. But there wasn't one in sight. Perhaps Singapore is a food lover's paradise in every sense, even for the cooks, because this menu is not only simple, but benefits from just a few odd or more involved steps (like dipping a hot … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Menu Wednesday, Singapore