Eat your way around the world
Valentine's Day is for lazy mornings. For PJ's all day. Breakfast in bed with your favorite cup of tea. Sunny smiles. And then there's real life. Husbands go to work. Your cat uses your favorite chair as a scratching post. And, over the course of 45 seconds, your child has the following conversation with you, in regards to said cat: "I want to sit there" "It's my turn to play with that toy" "He poked me with his paw" "Wahhhhhhhhh" The main difference between this and having … [Read more...]
The air buzzes with excitement. Ava pats the dough and we're on our way to Macedonian pizza (Pastrmajlija), an addicting combination of diced pork, olive oil, and cracked eggs. Together, her little hands next to my big hands, we shape the pizza two ways -first in a traditional full-moon circle and then in a Valentine's-inspired heart. While some might say the shapes taste the same, I beg to differ. Anything heart-shaped tastes infinitely better than that same … [Read more...]
Epiphany. People use the word to say they had a great idea. Like the proverbial lightbulb going off over one's head. But we're not going to eat lighbulbs today. Nope. Epiphany is the time of year that Liechtenstein, as well as many other countries around the world, celebrate "little Christmas." This national holiday is celebrated on January 6 and is a nod to the late arrival of the 3 kings to the very first Christmas party... afterall, they did hike quite a ways to get to Bethlehem. Calling … [Read more...]
Makes 6 Chapati I firmly believe flatbread has magical qualities. It can revive dull dinner conversation during that gaping time when the food seems like it'll never be ready. And, when the meal finally arrives, flatbread is there to happily house any number of visitors, including stews, sandwich fillings, spreads, dips, and cheeses. It can even make a grouchy baby happy again. I'm into it. Are you with me? Here's the short of it: I go to my happy place when presented with a … [Read more...]
Makes 1 loaf I like a bread that can stick to my ribs, but not necessarily to my hips. I don't think I'm asking too much, and I think I just may have found the answer to my prayers with this Irish Brown n' Oat Soda Bread. It's healthy (75% whole wheat) and hearty (thanks to a happy sprinkle of oats). This dense, savory, crusty quickbread is best eaten warm, slathered with butter, even though the butter will definitely stick to your ribs and your hips. It's worth it, though. Feel free to … [Read more...]
Makes 8 Pita Light, airy, grilled pita bread spells summer. Flip flops and ice water. Sunglasses and big smiles. Making this recipe just might help you get to know your neighbors. After all, the fresh smell of grilled pita bread is nearly impossible to resist. As long as you're willing to share... So, let's take a cue from the fine people of Iraq and enjoy pita, just like they have in this region (not only the Middle East, but the Mediterranean and also the Balkans) for millennia. … [Read more...]
Makes 16 small or 8 medium tortillas This week's Guatemalan Global Table starts off with a popular treat - the corn tortilla. Store-bought corn tortillas can be so ... stale, dry and yucky. But, take five minutes to throw together a simple dough and you can smoosh out the best corn tortillas in the world - certainly as good as any you can find in Guatemala. Make them thick or thin, big or small - any way you shape them you'll be glad you did. And if you have kids, watch out. You just might need … [Read more...]
Makes about 3 loaves My toes curled when I took my first bite of French bread - a baguette, still warm from the oven. Even years later - hundreds of baguettes later - I could not understand how my French friend, Julie, was able to restrict herself to one slice with dinner. Her entire family was that way - they'd had good bread their entire lives. I was unable to be so moderate. Entire baguettes could disappear into my belly in an afternoon. I gained 15 pounds living in Paris, around the … [Read more...]
