Global Table Adventure

Merry Gingerbread Winners!

December 25, 2012 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

Ho, ho, ho! The time has finally come! We're beyond excited to announce the winners of this year's Gingerbread for Peace Competition. Every year I love looking at your beautiful creations. You and your power over icing never cease to amaze me... which is why, if it were up to me, you'd all win. Truly, truly. And that, my friends, is why I enlist the help of an amazing panel of judges. With that said, I'd like to thank our sweet judges, who have the tough (impossible!) job of rating the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas, Giveaway

Recipe: Pork braised in Milk & Fresh Herbs | Maiale al Latte

December 16, 2012 By Sasha Martin 14 Comments

It's fun to let a recipe go "wrong" on purpose. Maiale al Latte is one of those dishes: pork braised in milk for hours, until the milk gives way to tender, nutty, herb flavored curds. Some will tell you this "curdled milk" is a mistake. I'm here to tell you what everyone in San Marino and Italy already know - this is homemade cheese ripe for the snacking, an epic byproduct of an already amazingly tender roast, soaked with sage and rosemary, garlic and bay leaves, milk and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas, Europe, International Recipes, Meat, Potluck Friendly, San Marino

Recipe: Samoan Steamed Spice Cake | Puligi

December 9, 2012 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

When Samoans want to bite into the holidays, their kitchens fill with the warm scent of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. If you try to peer under the lid to see what's cookin', you'll more than likely get a full steam facial, so watch out. Within that foggy cloud of vapors, you'll find cocoa brown puligi, a steamed bundt cake made dark with the unusual addition of "burnt" sugar. The cake is traditionally steamed in an underground oven known as an imu, although many now steam it on the stovetop, or … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas, International Recipes, Oceania, Potluck Friendly, samoa, Sweets

Recipe: Cocoa Tea

November 23, 2012 By Sasha Martin 21 Comments

When I told Ava that the fine people of Saint Lucia like to wake up in the morning and drink Cocoa Tea, she squinted her eyes, titled her head, and said "what mama?" "It's like hot cocoa," I smiled, "but richer, and seasoned with cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg." Her eyes instantly popped open in recognition and the corners of her lips curled impishly. I showed her my mound of chocolate chips and added that in Saint Lucia they use cocoa sticks and balls to make their Cocoa Tea, but we'd … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol-Free, Breakfast, Christmas, Fun Friday, Hot, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, North America, Potluck Friendly, Saint Lucia, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian

Recipe: Frankincense Ice Cream

August 9, 2012 By Sasha Martin 19 Comments

I like a little mystery in the midst of routine. A drizzle of scented massage oil makes the evening fly by. A simple puff of incense fills every crevice of my home with glorious serenity. And of all possible aromas, Frankincense reigns supreme. Ever since I was a little girl, poised with wonder under the glittering Christmas tree, Frankincense has captivated me. My little brain could never quite grasp what on earth Frankincense was or why it was so special, but that didn't stop me from … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Christmas, Holidays, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Oman, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweets, Technique Thursday, Vegetarian

Recipe: A Cake for 3 Kings (Dreikönigskuchen)

January 5, 2012 By Sasha Martin 16 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, International Recipes, Liechtenstein, 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, International Recipes, Libya, Potluck Friendly, Sweets

Recipe: Plantain Gingerbread Upside-Down Cake

December 15, 2011 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

I'm not really a dessert person, so it's all the more surprising when I come across a recipe which makes me want to lock the doors, draw the curtains, and eat until every last crumb is gone. I mean, seriously. Plaintain Gingerbread Upside-Down Cake??! If this isn't the perfect holiday recipe, I don't know what is. And of all the places for it to come from... Denmark is known for gingerbread. Germany. Even the United States. But I was genuinely surprised to find gingerbread … [Read more...]