Global Table Adventure | Independence Day

Recipe: West African Peanut Kebabs | Suya

July 26, 2012 By Sasha Martin 16 Comments

My pantry's name is Patty.* She's actually just a shelf in the laundry room, above the vacuum cleaner and mop, but I love her all the same. Right now she could use a diet - she is packed with boxes upon boxes of noodles, rice, 8 kinds of oils, soup, 4 bags of coffee from around the world, 4 kinds of dried chili peppers, and fishy bouillon cubes I bought 2 years ago for one of our Global Table meals and promptly forgot to use (I'm going to go ahead and presume they aren't good any … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Grilling, Independence Day, International Recipes, Meat, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Nigeria, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday

Recipe: Pavlova with Summer Berries & Kiwifruit

July 5, 2012 By Sasha Martin 13 Comments

Summertime means running barefoot through sprinklers, nibbling fresh fruit, and shining your smile all the time, even when you're sleeping. It means laying your back, watching bubbles of clouds dot through the sky. And today we're eating one such cloud. Pavlova. Named after a Russian ballet dancer, this meringue "cake" takes center stage, topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit, like berries, kiwifruit, mango, or even passionfruit. Both New Zealand and Australia lay claim to inventing this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fruit, Independence Day, International Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, New Zealand, Oceania, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegetarian

Recipe: Dutch Potato Salad | Huzarensalade

July 1, 2012 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

If I were to make a potato salad, it would not be loaded up with mayo, nor would it be heavy as a brick 0r as fresh as Frankenstein. No. My picnic table would have something far more glorious: I would make this Dutch potato salad. She's full of bright, juicy apples, smoky cubes of ham steak, sweet corn, and tiny, salty gherkin slices. She's an entire meal, surrounded by tender lettuce, hard-boiled eggs, cucumbers, tomatoes, more gherkins, and whatever else you'd like to nibble … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Independence Day, International Recipes, Meat, Netherlands, Potatoes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes

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, International Recipes, Korea, South, Rice, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Grilled Corn rubbed with Chili & Lime Salt

September 23, 2011 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

Makes 1/4 cup seasoned salt for lots of corn goodness. Can you squeeze a lime? Can you smash chili peppers into a mini mound of salt? Can you grill corn? This is one of those recipes that you make on a day, much like today, when you want to prepare something impressive, but you can't be bothered to do very much. We owe it to the lovely people of Kenya: take a walk down their bustling streets and you'll likely find vendors selling roasted corn rolled in a spicy blend of chili, fresh … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, Independence Day, International Recipes, Kenya, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Seasoning Blends & Pickles, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Hungarians like their bacon on a stick

June 24, 2011 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

Stars poke holes in the black sky. Crickets chirp. A campfire crackles. A few dear friends sit in a circle, chattering. They laugh until they cry and cry until they laugh. And, since they're Hungarian, they're holding bacon. Giant cubes of bacon. On sticks. Welcome to Hungarian summer. Campfire bacon kabobs, a.k.a. Gypsy Bacon (Cigany Szalonna) are an integral part of any Hungarian barbecue. In Planet Barbecue Steven Raichlen states: There once was a time - perhaps it's true still … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Fun Friday, Grilling, Hungary, Independence Day, International Recipes, Meat, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes

Recipe: Salvadoran Pickled Cabbage Slaw (Curtido)

February 13, 2011 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

Makes 1 giant bowl. Vinegar lovers unite! With very little effort you can have this Salvadoran slaw at your next barbecue or gathering. To be authentic, serve slightly "pickled" - about 1-3 days after making it. This should be vinegary and with the slightest hint of heat. Serve with pupusas. Ingredients: 1 cabbage, cored and sliced thinly 1/2 red onion, sliced thinly 2 carrots, grated 1 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes 1/4 cup white wine vinegar 1/8 cup olive oil salt … [Read more...]

Filed Under: El Salvador, Gluten Free Adaptable, Independence Day, International Recipes, North America, Salads, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Seasoning Blends & Pickles, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Rainbow Rice Palau (Dyed Rice)

December 30, 2010 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

Serves 6-8 I could confetti dozens (hundreds!) of newlyweds with all the rice we've made for our Adventures around the world. While they've all been incredible, I'm here to tell you that Rainbow Rice takes the cake for beauty, novelty, and fun factor. Want your own festival on a plate? Here are 5 important tips to making perfect Rainbow Rice: Only use one or two colors to dye the rice. Any more becomes a bit... chaotic. Make a theme out of it - pink for a baby shower, red and green for … [Read more...]