Global Table Adventure | Valentine’s Day

Recipe: Crystal Crunch “Fudge” (Besan Burfi) w/ poll

June 15, 2012 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

No matter where you live in this great, glorious world, you know someone with a mega sweet tooth. Someone who can't get enough of the sugary, fingerlickin' foods. This person can't be trusted with a cookie jar and - I'm here to tell you right now - they most certainly can't be trusted alone with a platter of Besan Burfi. And, really, can you blame them? Besan Burfi, popular throughout Nepal and India, tastes a little like sugar cookie dough... a little like a dreamy pistachio flower ... and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Finger Food, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Nepal, Potluck Friendly, Sweets, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian

Recipe: Candied Cantaloupe & Cherry Almond Tart (Galapian)

April 26, 2012 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

. Very rarely does a dessert glisten as brilliantly as the Galapian. She's like unlike anything I've ever tasted before - slices of candied cantaloupe enrobed with a light almond cake, studded with brilliant maraschino cherry drops and glazed with lavender honey. . This movie star of a dessert was invented in 1994 by Alain Bouchard in Apt, a region of France near to Monaco. While a relatively new invention, it has all the glitz and glamour that is so enjoyed by the Monégasque. . While … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Fruit, International Recipes, Monaco, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian

Recipe: Strawberry Almond Horchata

April 6, 2012 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

There should be a rule. Whenever the weather is sunny and fine, when it is hot enough to swim in the deep seas - you should absolutely swim. Even if you forgot your bathing suit. Likewise, if you are ever offered horchata - the famous Mexican summertime sipper - consider yourself lucky and drink, drink, drink. The freedom of swimming, no matter what - that's what I taste in this drink. This is a summer's worth of happy - chilled and served with a straw. You'll taste almond and rice milk. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol-Free, Cold, Fruit, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Mexico, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, North America, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian

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, International Recipes, Malawi, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweets, Valentine's Day

Recipe: Sunrise Biscuits (Mbatata)

February 9, 2012 By Sasha Martin 27 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: Rolled Egg Omelet w/ Kimchi (Gyeran mali)

October 13, 2011 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

On chilly fall mornings I like to roll up in my thick downy comforter, cozy and warm. I know that the second I stick my nose out it'll turn into an icicle, so I don't. I keep it tucked and cozy. I would lay there for hours, if Ava would let me. I'm like a human burrito. Or ... ahem... a human... omelet. You see, I like to think of this rolled omelet as an egg comforter. Even better? A heart-shaped egg comforter. Welcome to Cozy Town. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, I think everyone should … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Breakfast, Finger Food, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Korea, North, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian

Recipe: Roasted Lobster Tails with Coconut Curry Dipping Sauce

September 29, 2011 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

We're all friends here, right? I need to tell you something important. I'm learning to step out of my comfort zone. Not just once in a while. Once a day. It's scary but also rewarding. Sometimes, though, you can take too big a step. I'm learning that baby steps are better. Let me put this into context for you. Deciding whether or not to make this recipe caused quite the dilemma. You see, the last time I made lobster was traumatic. Have you ever made live lobster? It's stressful. It … [Read more...]

Filed Under: International Recipes, Kiribati, Oceania, Seafood, Technique Thursday, Valentine's Day

Recipe: Guatemalan Hot Cocoa (Central America)

May 29, 2011 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

Serves 1 When I don't have time for a bubble bath, I like to slip my dreams into a steaming hot cup of cocoa. Imagine my surprise (and joy) when I found out Guatemalans don't make their hot cocoa quite like we do here, in the USA. Like their neighbors throughout Central America, Guatemalans make hot cocoa out of bars of pressed cocoa. Dry and crumbly, these hot cocoa bars are nothing like the creamy bars of chocolate we snack on. The good news? You can find them in your local Latino market … [Read more...]