Global Table Adventure | Potluck Friendly

Recipe: Weeknight Cod Fish Feijoada

December 23, 2012 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

One of our readers, Annabelle, suggested we try today's Cod Fish Feijoada. This filling, yet healthy Portuguese stew made it's way to the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe during colonization. Things have evolved quite a bit since then. While most Feijoada's involve black beans (even as far away as the one we made for Brazil), the islanders favor this white bean version and make it with readily available fish (and sometimes pork). The entire principal is a slow-cooked, tender meal full of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, International Recipes, Potluck Friendly, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seafood, Vegetables/Pulses

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

December 16, 2012 By Sasha Martin 15 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: Swallow’s Nests | Nidi di Rondine

December 13, 2012 By Sasha Martin 26 Comments

What being a grown up has taught me: There's no way to turn couch surfing into exercise. I cannot be a mermaid for a day, no matter how hard I will myself to grow a tail. Superman isn't going to swoop down out of the sky and carry me away with him. Heck, he can't even find a phone booth these days. That being said, there are lots of good things I've learned as a grownup. Making my daughter guffaw makes my heart happy Eating around the table with loved ones is worth a pile of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Pasta, Potluck Friendly, San Marino, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday

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: Chocolate & Coconut Rice Pudding with Sweet Orange Peel | Koko Rice

December 7, 2012 By Sasha Martin 13 Comments

I used to say I wasn't a chocolate girl but, as the year's go by, I'm realizing that it's really more about finding the right time to eat chocolate. After dinner? Certainly. At 3pm? I'm game. For lunch? Maybe. Midnight? Definitely. 3 am? No way. I'm sleeping for goodness sakes. But breakfast? Am I game for a chocolate breakfast? Let's just say it's an arrangement I'm willing to get out of bed for and I know of at least two other people who are as well. After all, who couldn't use … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Oceania, Potluck Friendly, Rice, samoa, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweets, Vegan, Vegetarian

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: Peas n’ Rice

November 16, 2012 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

There's a tall, skinny window, in a full-of-love kitchen in Brooklyn, where one can set a giant pot of rice to cool. Under the icy winter sun, steam rolls up and fogs the panes. With a swipe of the hand you can peer out at the city below, but the glass now clings to a dream of sauteed peppers, onion, garlic, celery, and thyme. This special place is my friend Marina's kitchen, where I cooked our Global Table this past week while I was in NYC. There's nothing to this recipe. And yet it is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gluten Free Adaptable, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, North America, Potluck Friendly, Rice, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Rum Glazed Coconut Bread Pudding

November 15, 2012 By Sasha Martin 22 Comments

It's a fact of life: when the wind howls, children everywhere refuse to wear their coats. They arch their little backs, squeal-whine and assert "I don't need a coat, mama." In this situation, we have two choices. We can hunker down and try (struggle) to put their coat on, until one or both of us are crying. Or. (Or is that beautiful word that keeps life bearable and tantrums at a minimum.) Or... we can stand outside with them, coatless in the wind, just for a moment. We can feel … [Read more...]