Global Table Adventure

Recipe: Swiss Fondue (& Giveaway)

May 10, 2013 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

If I had to face life or death, I'd choose Swiss Fondue. Every. Single. Time. This decision is purely based on personal experience. A) I know that life gets better whenever I dunk hunks of rustic bread into ooey-gooey cheese. To support my case, I must call attention to a fictional character: Heidi (does this help me or hurt me?). She knows all things are better with melted cheese because, apparently, this is the only thing she eats at her grandfather's house, on the flower dotted … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breads, Dips, Europe, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Potatoes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Switzerland, Vegetarian

Recipe: Mealie Bread

April 24, 2013 By Sasha Martin 13 Comments

The next time you walk into your kitchen, walk into the warm, sweet scent of mealie bread. Let a smile curl along your lips as you taste that first, moist bite with your imagination. Then take a moment for real indulgence: spread softened butter across the still-warm bread, only to see it melt into and down the sides of the tender crumb. I've had lots of corn bread before, but never something as rich and flavorful as this Mealie Bread. The main difference between this and ordinary corn … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Breads, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Swaziland, Vegetarian

Recipe: Battered Plantains with Peanut Sauce | Bakabana

April 21, 2013 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

Bakabana is a traditional treat in Suriname. All you do is take very ripe plantains (i.e. blackened), deep fry them, and dust the crispy, fried goodness with powdered sugar. Alternatively, you can serve them with homemade peanut sauce. The result is a crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside, finger-licking snack. What could go wrong? (Actually, a lot. I made this recipe three times, before I finally figured out that I needed cornstarch to make the batter crispy. For reference see … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Finger Food, Global Table, International Recipes, Random Carbs & Grains, South America, Suriname, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Sudanese Kisra | Sorghum Crepes

April 11, 2013 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

I never thought I'd need a cow's brain and a credit card for this lil' ol' Global Table Adventure of ours. The thing is, if I were to make Kisra in the most authentic way - the South Sudanese way - that's exactly what I'd need. Locals would use the cow's brain, which is naturally quite fatty, to grease the pan. I got the tip on good authority; from this amazing South Sudanese food post on Green Shakes in Sudan. There you'll find photos of local women rubbing brain renderings on their … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Breads, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sudan (South), Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Sudanese Flatbread | Gorraasa

April 7, 2013 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

Gorraasa is a soft, doughy bread enjoyed in the Sudan that tastes like a really thick tortilla. The texture is a bit more spongy, however, and when I pulled mine into pieces, I was delighted to find the slight elasticity at once addicting and good for picking up food. Which is exactly how the Sudanese use Gorraasa. They place a round of Gorraasa under stewed meats or other entrees, then tear off bits of the bread to pick up the food instead of using utensils. It can also be enjoyed on its … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Breads, Breakfast, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Sudan (North), Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Sri Lankan Yellow Rice | Kaha Bath

March 31, 2013 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

After you make this recipe, you will be haunted. Your home will blossom with the tropical scents of Sri Lanka. And your mouth will beg to remember each bite: the slightly toasted note from the curry leaves, the vanilla-like pandan, and the ultra creamy coconut milk. Not to forget the cinnamon, because.. well, how could we? This sweet, sweet earthiness pulls the rice together. Yes. When it comes to this rice, it's all good. Now, there's nothing simpler than this rice. This is an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Rice, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sri Lanka, Vegan

Recipe: Coconut Roti

March 28, 2013 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

The best thing about thinking I don't like something, is finding out how wrong I am. I've always operated under the assumption that flaked coconut is much too squeaky between my teeth. Sri Lanka and these Coconut Roti proved me wrong. There's something so refreshing about dumping three ingredients in a bowl and emerging with warm, doughy flatbread that smells like a day in the tropics. Or Sri Lanka, to be specific. In fact, I did an entire post cataloging the best recipes with three … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Breads, Breakfast, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sri Lanka, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Weeknight Paella

March 21, 2013 By Sasha Martin 20 Comments

Making Paella is quite the trick. Making authentic paella is even harder. My mission this week was to make a simple, yet flavorful paella for our Spanish Global Table. Something easy enough for a Monday, but special enough for a Friday. One that would be rather... well... business in front, party in the back. Or maybe not. Friends, I did my research. In fact, I spent a lot of time reading mediocre online reviews of what should have been amazing paella recipes. These … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, International Recipes, Meat, Potluck Friendly, Rice, Seafood, Spain, Technique Thursday