Global Table Adventure | Technique Thursday

Recipe: Rwandan “Agatogo” with Collard Greens

November 8, 2012 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

There's an old Rwandan saying "The most extensive land is the human belly." I like to think there's mountains and streams in there, glorious sunsets and easy, glimmering sunrises. Is that somehow unsavory? I don't know. I do know I want this land to be vast, and include as much variety as possible. I want to fit the whole world in there. And this, my friends, includes the plantain. Plantains have been an issue for my family from the beginning. Ava isn't really keen on them (or bananas). … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, International Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Random Carbs & Grains, Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Russian Potato Salad | Olivier Salad

November 1, 2012 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

Winter doesn't just bite in Russia. It eats you alive. In the far east of this great nation, temperatures can actually drop to -95F. In the west, things are nearly so dire - winter might only drop to -22F (!), with occasional warm spurts in past years reaching 50F. 50F isn't so bad. But the rest? Yikes. By the time New Year's Eve comes, Russians are ready to break up the monotony with a blast of soul-warming comfort food. Major. Everyone tells me New Year's Eve in Russia wouldn't … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Meat, New Year's, Potatoes, Potluck Friendly, Russia, Salads, Technique Thursday

Recipe: Lumpia Shanghai

September 27, 2012 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

Are you the sun or the moon? Do you shine hot and bright, or glow cool and blue? Is there a better of the two? There's a Filipino folk tale that says the sun and moon once had an argument. The sun angrily told the moon "you only shine because I shine on you." The moon spat back, "no one likes you because you're too hot - at least at night the women can go out and dance under my cool glow." This made the sun so angry, she threw sand in the moon's face. And that's how they say the moon got … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Finger Food, International Recipes, Meat, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Philippines, Random Carbs & Grains, Sandwiches/Wraps/Packets, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday

Recipe: Ginger & Rocoto Ceviche

September 19, 2012 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

Last week I spoke with "Kelly," a short, black-haired Peruvian restaurateur whose father had a thing for Western names (he also named one of her brother's Kennedy - and, as she admitted with downcast eyes, another brother "Hitler"). If that wasn't enough to blow my mind, she added in her thick, rolling accent that halibut ceviche is the "Dunkin' Donuts" of Peru. I asked her twice to repeat herself. Each time her smile grew bigger and her words clearer. Ceviche is the Dunkin Donuts of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: International Recipes, Peru, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Seafood, South America, Technique Thursday

Recipe: Dulce de Leche Stuffed Cookies | Alfajores

September 13, 2012 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

Sometimes we need a do over. A chance to get it right. And a little forgiveness. Because in every mishap is a silver lining. Especially when it comes to sweet, crumbly dulce de leche filled alfajores - the popular South American cookie. One bite instantly dissolves on the tongue into a cloud of tender lemon zest deliciousness. Divine. But back to forgiveness. Specifically, I need to forgive my sweet, bumbling husband for being so thoughtful as to fill up the cooler with ice for our 3 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Finger Food, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Paraguay, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, South America, Sweets, Technique Thursday, Vegetarian

Recipe: Autumnal Veggies in Spiced Coconut Milk

September 6, 2012 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

"I would eat that" says Mr. Picky, after taking a nibble off of my wooden spoon. I take a bite off the same spoon and let my eyes flutter shut. My mouth is filled with the most comforting, savory goodness. These coconut veggies taste exactly like a delicious hug on a rainy day... or a steaming hot shower after a rough and tumble game of basketball... or that happy dream you have after finishing a really, really great book (or show) - the kind of dream that lets the world of the characters … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Potatoes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Ginger Peach Barbecue Sauce

August 23, 2012 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

Way out in the Pacific ocean sits a bumpy, bumbling little island country called Palau. From what I hear, the fine people (20,000 strong) slather barbecue sauce on just about anything. Fish. Chicken. Even mussels. Some say it's the American influence on their cuisine, but I detect a nod to the rich gingery-garlic barbecue sauces of Asia as well. I immediately knew that I had to make homemade barbecue sauce to experience our Palauan Global Table to the fullest. And if I was going to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gluten Free Adaptable, Grilling, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Oceania, Palau, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sauces & Dressings, Technique Thursday, Vegetarian

Recipe: Garlic Basmati Rice with Pine Nuts

August 15, 2012 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

I'd like the record to state that I'm ready for a big hug. It's the end of summer, times are changing, and I'm ready for that love-filled feeling that comes with a smooshable hug. I see people doing it all the time - their bodies smiling as they pull to each other. My husband still hugs me, which is the best kind of snuggle-hug I can ask for. But I want more. I want the kind of hug that can't come from him. Or any person. It's the kind of hug that comes from taking a giant bite of … [Read more...]