Global Table Adventure

A Bento for Miss Ava (w/ poll)

September 2, 2011 By Sasha Martin 13 Comments

I love cute hair cuts. Cute smiles. Cute babies. I especially love cute food. And believe me - the Japanese know cute food. Not content to simply let plain-Jane food lay limp in the lunch box, they have an entire industry devoted to countless accessories and gadgets whose sole purpose is to make food perky and cute. It's the art of Bento. And it's super kawaii (guess what that means?). A little background: Ava just started a 2 day per week preschool program and she takes a packed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Finger Food, Fun Friday, Japan, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Recipes, 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: My Mother’s Stuffed Artichokes (with Poll)

August 19, 2011 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

As far as I'm concerned there's only one way to enjoy a movie: cuddled up to a plate of stuffed artichokes. I've already managed to brainwash the rest of the clan into agreement. I started young with Ava - at 10 months old she became enamored when I found one the size of her head. Today - at just two years old - she's an artichoke eatin' pro. To enjoy your next movie with an artichoke, you just need three accessories: a giant bowl for the discarded leaves, napkins, and a small bowl of melted … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Finger Food, Fun Friday, Italy, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Time travel with Pistachio Date Balls (with Poll)

July 29, 2011 By Sasha Martin 17 Comments

As far as I'm concerned, the best - and quite possibly the only way to time travel is to cook. Reading gets us only partway there - we dream ourselves into other times, other lands. But they remain just that - dreams. Visiting ruins gets us a little closer. But, at the end of the day, ruins are simply ruins - fragments of the splendor that what once was. But, when it comes to cooking food from ancient times? Instant time travel. In my mouth. When I cook I am potentially eating … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Finger Food, Fruit, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, Iraq, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Grilled Whole Wheat Pita Bread

July 28, 2011 By Sasha Martin 16 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Asia, Breads, Finger Food, Grilling, Iraq, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged With: khubz

Recipe: Kulfi

July 11, 2011 By Sasha Martin 1 Comment

Makes 4.5 cups The sweet, rich flavor of kulfi will transport you (and any toddlers you know) to India quicker than quick. No need for fancy equipment, either. Freeze the kulfi in any mold you have - I used plastic shot glasses from a party supply store. The two year-olds I polled had no problem with this. Ingredients: 1 12 oz can evaporated milk 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk 2 slices bread 1 cup cream, whipped 2 Tbsp pistachios 1 tsp rose water 1/4 tsp cardamom red food … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Finger Food, India, Recipes, Sweets

Recipe: Homemade Paneer/Panir (cheese)

July 7, 2011 By Sasha Martin 22 Comments

Makes 1 block of cheese Cheese lovers, come closer. I have a secret to tell you. I never thought I'd be able to do this. I thought it would be hard. I thought I'd just waste a bunch of milk. I didn't. The truth is, the only thing standing between you and great cheese is a half gallon of milk, salt, and a little lemon juice. That's pretty ridiculous. And empowering. Trust me. If you've never made homemade cheese before, you'll delight in the simplicity of Indian Paneer. And … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Finger Food, Gluten Free Adaptable, India, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegetarian

Recipe: Plantain & Cheese Turnovers (Tortas de Plátano)

June 16, 2011 By Sasha Martin 24 Comments

Makes 8-10 Imagine. It's the height of summer. You spend all day roughhousing with the ocean. When every muscle in your body is heavy, you lay down in the sand for an impromptu picnic with a package of street food - tortas. In less than a minute you make several cheesy, crispy, fried plantain tortas disappear into your happy belly. After the last bite, you lick the salt from your fingers and drink a tall glass of water. You stretch out for a nap, still warm from the glow of a little too … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Finger Food, Honduras, North America, Recipes, Sandwiches/Wraps/Packets, Technique Thursday, Vegetarian