Global Table Adventure

Recipe: Superstar Bibimbap

October 6, 2011 By Sasha Martin 16 Comments

Today is my late brother's birthday - he would have been 34 and into who knows what kind of trouble. No joke. I like to think that, if he were here, he'd take a break from his ornery ways and we'd eat this sizzling Korean specialty together. As it cooked in front of us - at the table - we'd celebrate him with big bursts of goofy laughter. Bibimbap is perfect for celebrating superstars - like him. Like you. Sure, there are days when we don't feel like superstars. When everything seems … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Gluten Free Adaptable, Independence Day, Korea, South, Recipes, Rice, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Sushi Rice (Shari)

September 4, 2011 By Sasha Martin 1 Comment

Makes 4.5 cups cooked rice (enough for 6 half rolls) Some things in life take a lifetime to master. Sushi rice is one of those things. Every time I make it I get better. With every bite my smiles grow bigger and my belly happier. But I also look forward to the next time - and improving it - just as much. If you want to try - go for it! While it is admittedly difficult to make professional quality sushi rice, it's surprisingly easy to make good sushi rice. As longs as you buy the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Gluten Free Adaptable, Japan, Recipes, Rice, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Vegetarian Sushi (Futomaki)

September 1, 2011 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

Makes 6 rolls (on 1/2 sheet nori seeweed) - serves 2 Do you have a yearning to be creative? An artist? Do you want to release your imagination into the wild? Are you also hungry? The answer is sushi. While sushi making is an art that requires years of training to master, everyone can play the game. It's like I tell my husband - you don't have to be Michelangelo to paint a personal masterpiece. Similarly, you don't have to be a sushi chef to fill your belly with satisfying … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Finger Food, Gluten Free Adaptable, Japan, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Recipes, Rice, Sandwiches/Wraps/Packets, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Persian Sour Cherry Rice

July 21, 2011 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

Serves 6 Take a look around you. I mean really, really look around. Every little thing - that weathered window sill, the sparkly vase, even that fuzzy gray pillow - they can all be your inspiration. Your muse. The catalyst to the next great idea. Take this Persian Sour Cherry Rice, for example. When I look at this masterpiece in form and taste - I can't help but wonder what inspired someone to create such a dish. Who was the clever soul that first made this tower of deliciousness … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Gluten Free Adaptable, Iran, Recipes, Rice, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Indonesian Fried Rice with cow’s eyes (Nasi Goreng)

July 14, 2011 By Sasha Martin 16 Comments

Serves 2-4 Let's get up and greet the day like an Indonesian. Stretch your arms to the sky. Touch the earth. Pile your plate with fried rice. And cow's eyes. Now, don't get me wrong. I don't mean a cow's cow eyes. I mean fried eggs. That's simply what they call them in Indonesia. As far as breakfast goes, Nasi Goreng is incredibly satisfying. Especially if you eat it on top of an 8th century Buddhist monument. And why not? With stove-top travel, we can go wherever we … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Breakfast, Gluten Free Adaptable, Indonesia, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Rice, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetarian

Recipe: Jollof (West African Rice with Veggies)

June 5, 2011 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

Serves 6-8 Listen, friends. I thought Jollof sounded weird. Scary. Difficult. It's not. This is rice with veggies. And spices. Sometimes meat, but not here. Not today. All over West Africa people enjoy Jollof. They make it with whatever they have on hand and more often that not it does not include meat. This recipe is flexible. It's usually spicy. And it always has some version of tomato sauce/paste in it. The rest is a fun improvisational dance. So, go on - boogie, boogie through that bottom … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Gluten Free Adaptable, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Rice, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Kushary (also Kushari)

February 3, 2011 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

Serves 6 In Egypt, there are entire restaurants devoted soley to the production of Kushary. Giant vats are filled with the necessary ingredients and kept warm over low heat. With each order, a quick-moving server walks their ladle through the vats, filling the customer's bowl up to the brim with pasta, rice, lentils, spicy tomato sauce, and fried onions. While it is difficult to reproduce this type of assembly at home, it is possible to layer all the ingredients in a casserole and keep warm. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Egypt, Pasta, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Rice, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Skoudehkaris

January 2, 2011 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

Serves 4 Suffering from 1 digit weather? Ice, snow, and rain? What about sleet? Let's warm things up with Skoudehkaris. Known as the national dish of Djibouti, this heavy stew is a spicy, comforting treat. The bonus? It'll make your house smell amazing. Ingredients: 1 lb lamb, cubed 1 onion, chopped 1-2 Tbsp ghee or vegetable oil 1 tsp cumin 1/4 tsp cloves 1 tsp cardamom 1/4 tsp cayenne (or to taste) 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes 1 cup water, plus extra as … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Djibouti, Meat, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Rice