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: 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: 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: Braided Heart Bread | Pleteno Srce

February 21, 2013 By Sasha Martin 19 Comments

We are closing in on spring ... that special time of year, when weddings and baby showers sprinkle our calendars, and everything is awash in the promise of new love. In Slovenia, such times are marked with Pleteno Scre - an ornamental, braided, tender loaf of bread, shaped into a heart. Pleteno Scre is an honored gift. The slightly sweet loaves are painstakingly decorated with edible tokens, like wedding rings and flowers (as I have done), or even astonishingly detailed birds, or paper thin … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breads, Europe, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Slovenia, Technique Thursday, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian

Recipe: Grilled Garlicky Bacon Bread | Hrianka

February 15, 2013 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

"Better to eat bread in peace, than cake amidst turmoil." - Slovak Proverb Oh, Slovakia. My husband has been woo'd, my daughter smitten. As for me, I'm in love. No, it's not because of Valentine's Day. It's because of Bacon. Garlic. Oh, and a nice, thick slice of Sourdough Rye Bread. Yes... Slovakia really did us in when it comes to Hrianka. At her most basic, Hrianka is plain toast rubbed with garlic. At her most beautiful, she's a collection of hearty slices griddled … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breads, Europe, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Meat, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Slovakia

Recipe: Saudi Lamb “Pizza” | Aysh abu Laham

January 4, 2013 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

In Saudi Arabia, there's an old saying "A friend is known when needed." In other words, when you need help, true friends show up. They might ask "Can I do anything?", but more than likely they'll simply roll up their sleeves and get to work. Because the answer is clear, yes, you need them. A true friend quietly brings over a covered casserole after you've given birth to your first child. They take your child to the park so you can sleep off a fever. They silence their phone and hold your … [Read more...]