Global Table Adventure | Random Carbs & Grains

Recipe: Cardamom Caakiri

July 22, 2012 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

There are very few things that surprise me any more. A toddler falling apart five minutes past her bedtime? Predictable. Going twice as long between mowings in the 100F-mid-July-inferno? Guaranteed. Two things that do succeed at surprising me? The last season of Lost (no spoilers please!) and using couscous to make a tangy-sweet pudding. Yes. I'm considering eating caakiri while watching Lost to see if the surprises cancel each other out. It could happen. So. Let's back up a moment and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, International Recipes, Niger, Random Carbs & Grains, Sweets, Vegetarian

Recipe: Moroccan Honey Buttered Semolina “Crater” Pancakes | Beghrir

May 18, 2012 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

Oh, goodness. Where do I even begin? Do you see that honey dripping off the edge of the crater cakes? Each drop is perfumed with the haunting aroma of orange blossom water and butter. Hello. I mean, really. I'm pretty sure I can just pack up and go home now. My job is done. Talk about good-glorious-eats! But, for those few who aren't yet sure if this Moroccan treat - officially called Beghrir - is right for their breakfast table, let me continue. These semolina pancakes aren't … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Breakfast, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Morocco, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Random Carbs & Grains, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetarian

Recipe: Chickpea Crepes (Socca)

April 27, 2012 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

I am ready for a day-dreamy sort of day. One where I walk along the pier and smell the salty, ocean air... On this easy-breezy day I'll nibble bits of crispy socca - an olive oil and chickpea based crêpe popular along the riviera. On this day I do not stumble. I do not stain my shirt. Nothing I say sounds silly and I'm free of heartache. Yes, there are days when a crêpe can do this for you... ...especially if enjoyed in glitzy Monaco, with diamonds on the soles of your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breads, Europe, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Monaco, Random Carbs & Grains, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Mamaliga (Dense Cornmeal “Bread”)

April 22, 2012 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

I've done it standing in front of my refrigerator at midnight. I've done it at 8:30 in the morning, right after eating a complete breakfast. I've even done it in celebration of eating all my veggies. I fill my belly with bowlfuls of carbs - pasta, bread, potatoes, or rice - it really doesn't matter. Simply put: I'm carb crazy. Enter Mamaliga, Moldova's favorite side dish (and Romania's, too). Carb-tastic. This thick, dense polenta is made with corn meal (the coarser the better), water, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breads, Europe, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Moldova, Potluck Friendly, Random Carbs & Grains, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Mauritian Chili Poppers (Gateaux Piments) (w/ poll)

March 30, 2012 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

If you have a hankering for a munchin', come with me via "stove top travel" to Mauritius. While there, we'll cozy up, picnic-style, with a basket of Gateaux Piments. These crisp, crunchy poppers are quite a bit like falafel and I got to try them thanks to you, dear readers, since they won your vote on our Facebook Fan Page as the split pea recipe you'd most like me to try. (Thank you!) What I find most exciting about these chili poppers is their intense, fresh flavor. Each bite reveals … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Finger Food, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Mauritius, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Random Carbs & Grains, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Rainy Day Couscous

March 22, 2012 By Sasha Martin 20 Comments

I've been putting off making couscous. I don't mean the boxed, nearly instant kind - I make that fairly often. What I'm tackling today is delicate, fluffy steamed couscous. The kind you buy in the bulk bin. The kind that fluffs up like a dream. According to Clifford A. Wright, steaming the tiny pearls twice, sometimes three times, is the "only" way to make proper couscous. Color me intrigued. While we've cooked many countries that enjoy couscous (Libya and Algeria for example), I put off … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, International Recipes, Mauritania, Pasta, Random Carbs & Grains, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Papa, an African staple (Lesotho)

December 11, 2011 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

I find that Mr. Not-as-Picky, Keith - even with all his progress on the adventure - can still be rather fussy about food that looks soft and mushy. Especially if he has to eat it with his fingers. If you ask me, some of the best food is soft and mushy - mashed potatoes being the prime example. So I'll you what I told him. Papa, a stiff white porridge from Lesotho, is not that unusual. Especially if you eat grits for a living, which - apparently - many people do, here in the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Lesotho, Random Carbs & Grains, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Sweet Coco Pumpkin with Pandan Leaves

October 2, 2011 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

If you've been to the grocery store lately you've seen it. Mounds and mounds of pumpkins. They're bright fire orange, forest green, haystack yellow, cloud white, and even sorceress gray. Some are bumpy and some are flat out gnarly. They're all saying hello, strutting their stuff, hoping you'll take them home. Every year I take a few more home than the year before. I can't help it. I like the teeny weeny ones best. The kind Ava can practically palm in her small 2 year-old hand. I also like to … [Read more...]