Global Table Adventure | Monday Meal Review

Monday Meal Review: Syria

May 20, 2013 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

httpv://youtu.be/1CVMInq42c4 "Want to help me make the kebabs?" I asked Ava, gesturing toward the pile of long, metal skewers, the bowl of sour cherries swimming in water, and the ground lamb meat, spiced with baharat. I tried to imagine what this spread looked like in a three year-old's mind. Dangerous, slimy, raw. I cringed a little internally, knowing she wouldn't want to help. Knowing this would push every squeamish part of her mind. But then she spoke. "Sure!" she smiled and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Monday Meal Review, Syria

Monday Meal Review: Switzerland

May 13, 2013 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

httpv://youtu.be/ItSbbLTJpAs I can't stop thinking about those three girls that were found last week: Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Gina DeJesus. Also on my mind is Mr Ramsey, the man who stepped forward and kicked in the door to free the girls. Friends, it is so important to step up when we're called. Is it scary? Yes. Can it be dangerous? Yes. But what else is life for, than helping each other? I'm not by nature a hero. Once, when I was in my mid-twenties, I heard a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Monday Meal Review, Switzerland

Monday Meal Review: Sweden

May 6, 2013 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

httpv://youtu.be/vA264c-Utoo "Det är skönare lyss till den sträng som brast än att aldrig spänna en båge." "It is fairer to listen to the string that broke than to never strain a bow." Verner von Heidenstam (Swedish Poet & Novelist) I slumped into my chair, put my head on my arms, and groaned. I'd spent hours making the Swedish princess cake, only to find out that the marzipan was too thin. Not only could I see the cake through the spring green coating, the marzipan began to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Monday Meal Review, Sweden

Monday Meal Review: Swaziland

April 29, 2013 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

httpv://youtu.be/fuqnpiIH0vs "The bee that is forced into the hive will not produce honey." This Swazi proverb has me thinking about what I do and why. When I used to work a desk job, I had a palpable limit to my energy and creativity: it was called "5pm." The old song "It's five o'clock somewhere" was my quitting time rhyme. I was out that door faster than anyone else and, in fact, I was unproductively waiting for the end of the day even before five o'clock. But since I began cooking … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Monday Meal Review, Swaziland

Monday Meal Review: Suriname

April 22, 2013 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

httpv://youtu.be/bDH_PcTMZro Our little family went to Austin, Texas this week to watch the Moto GP race. Fourteen countries were represented and we had a great time! Anyway, the trip cut short our work week, so you'll find most of our meal review in the video this week. That being said, I do have a short question for you to ponder this week... and I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. What do you hope they say about you when you are gone? Do you hope they point out your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Monday Meal Review, South America, Suriname

Monday Meal Review: South Sudan

April 15, 2013 By Sasha Martin 17 Comments

httpv://youtu.be/diL-0WsmG0g What is a celebrity? One definition is someone who commands "public fascination." Could this be the profile of one such person? This week we shared our meal with a very special guest; someone who has actually traveled to South Sudan, slept in their huts, hunted in their forests, and enjoyed feasts while sitting at the right hand of the village Chief. I'd tell you when all this happened, but I've been sworn to secrecy. I've wanted to invite this man … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Monday Meal Review, Sudan (South)

Monday Meal Review: North Sudan

April 8, 2013 By Sasha Martin 14 Comments

httpv://youtu.be/T4I21D7rbQI If you could taste life, it would be salt of the earth, spice of the heavens. It would leave you thirsty, and yet it would quench you. When I see people sweat through complicated recipes to impress each other, rather that for fun, I wonder if they taste life... if they really drink it in. Because I've seen it. I've seen her. That girl who's crying before a dinner party because she's taken on a recipe that's much too complicated. Or because she's just … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Monday Meal Review, Sudan (North)

Monday Meal Review: Sri Lanka

April 1, 2013 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

httpv://youtu.be/nvo6WeVckBQ It all started about a month ago. While watching our new Sri Lankan friend, Iyona, prepare a dozen or so platters for Ruby's 40th birthday party, I noticed how little she measured. Anything. Nothing. Ruby seemed completely relaxed. Un-phased. (P.S. I'm pretty sure she'd pass for 22, right?!) Anyway. Back to the cooking. It was a dash of this. A heap of that. Cook it a while. Don't forget to stir. That was the extent of her … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Monday Meal Review, Sri Lanka