Global Table Adventure

Recipe: Malawi Peanut Balls (Mtedza)

February 12, 2012 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

I adore when this around the world culinary journey takes me by surprise. Here we are, the week of Valentine's day, and I'm in Malawi - practically the heart of Africa. I had it in my head that I probably wouldn't find anything particularly appropriate for Valentine's Day. Turns out I was wrong. While I didn't dig up any chocolate kisses or champagne mixers, I did find the lovely Sunrise Biscuits and today's addictive groundnut cookie (that's what Africans call peanuts). Thank goodness, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Malawi, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweets, Valentine's Day

Recipe: Sunrise Biscuits (Mbatata)

February 9, 2012 By Sasha Martin 20 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Africa, Breads, Breakfast, Malawi, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian

Recipe: Lithuanian Honey Spirits (Krupnikas)

January 12, 2012 By Sasha Martin 28 Comments

The holidays are over. We stuffed our wrapping paper back into the closet and swept the confetti into the trash, right on top of the party hats that say 2012. The cookies and the friendly buffets of family favorites are long since gone, replaced by soulless detoxes and way-too-skinny drinks. I know some of us are even thinking about spring - scanning the frozen ground, vainly hoping to see some stray spot of green, willing a warm gust of air to come our way, instead of a moveable wall of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol, Cold, Europe, Lithuania, New Year's, Recipes, Technique Thursday

Recipe: A Cake for 3 Kings (Dreikönigskuchen)

January 5, 2012 By Sasha Martin 14 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Breads, Christmas, Europe, Liechtenstein, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweets, Technique Thursday, Vegetarian

Recipe: Whipped Ghee Shortbread Cookies (Ghraiba)

January 1, 2012 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

Every day should be special. A day to use fancy napkins. A day to nibble cookies with tea. A day to smile more than you did the entire year before. This cookie is for such a day. Say hello to the ghraiba, or Libya's answer to crispy, buttery shortbread. They aren't super sweet, but they have a tender crumb, perfect for teatime. Two things make these cookies unique. First, they are made with ghee, a.k.a. cooked, clarified butter. Second, they are studded with whole cloves, which can be eaten … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Christmas, Libya, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sweets

Globally inspired New Year’s Drinks for your every mood

December 30, 2011 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

When it comes to New Year's Eve, I'm moody. Some years I want to stay up all night, partying with all the time zones, the whole world over. Some years I am so tired I can't even stay up to watch the ball drop on TV. More often than not, I'm snoring by 10 p.m. The nice thing about cooking the world is learning that there is most definitely a drink for every mood, no matter what time you drink it - no matter if you're in a crowd or totally (and happily) alone. So, come along, no matter … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fun Friday, Global Table, Holidays

Global Gingerbread Winners!

December 26, 2011 By Sasha Martin Leave a Comment

I hope you had a happy n' fab weekend with family and friends. Today, let's celebrate the world via gingerbread! Our gracious judges, Jenny Buccos from Project Explorer and Karen Chan from Globetrotter Diaries were so kind to look over the Gingerbread for Peace entries and came up with 3 exceptional winners. The winners will earn hundreds in prizes, including gifts from AFAR Magazine, La Mer Collection, and donations to charities of choice. I'm so, so, so excited for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holidays

My very global Christmas menu is… vegan!

December 21, 2011 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

Vegan-christmas-ideas-from-around-the-world

Sometimes I have my act together. Like Thanksgiving. I was pretty well organized and knew what I wanted to make way ahead of time. I had a grocery list two weeks before necessary and practically had everything timed out to the minute. Not today. I am still desperately trying to figure out what to make for our big holiday dinner in just a few days. Mom''s been mostly vegan these last couple of years days so I'm thinking we'll have mostly vegan and vegetarian dishes, with one or two other … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Global Table, Holidays, Potluck Friendly