Global Table Adventure

Recipe: Baharat

May 19, 2013 By Sasha Martin 1 Comment

I'm craving a little excitement. A little spice. In my younger years, I might have stayed out all night clubbing, I might have found a new crush, or I might have packed my bags and drove off into the sunset without checking a map. Even worse, I might have done all three. Today, I think, I'll settle for something simpler. Something more manageable. Baharat is a popular Middle Eastern spice blend which often makes its way into kebabs and other meat preparations. There are countless … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, International Recipes, Seasoning Blends & Pickles, Syria

Recipe: Syrian Lentils

May 17, 2013 By Sasha Martin 13 Comments

There's a whole head of garlic up in these cyber pages. By now you should be able to smell it through the screen. I know. You have boys to kiss. Important business meetings and no Altoids. You don't have time to smell like garlic. But indulge me for a moment, please. We've eaten a whole head of garlic on this Adventure before, as with our Lebanese garlic sauce Toum, but this time our garlic is making friends with lentils and Swiss chard. They bubble and steam up together, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Dips, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Syria, Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Swiss Fondue (& Giveaway)

May 10, 2013 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

If I had to face life or death, I'd choose Swiss Fondue. Every. Single. Time. This decision is purely based on personal experience. A) I know that life gets better whenever I dunk hunks of rustic bread into ooey-gooey cheese. To support my case, I must call attention to a fictional character: Heidi (does this help me or hurt me?). She knows all things are better with melted cheese because, apparently, this is the only thing she eats at her grandfather's house, on the flower dotted … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breads, Dips, Europe, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Potatoes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Switzerland, Vegetarian

Recipe: Singapore Chilli Sauce

February 10, 2013 By Sasha Martin 1 Comment

The act of "saucing" food in Singapore is not as simple as I expected it to be. From what I can tell, there's two schools of thought on the matter. First: the 'dip & dunk' variety, a.k.a. those who keep a bowl of incendiary hot sauce next to their plates for regular food baths. Second: the 'drizzle & bedazzle' variety, a.k.a. those who let the sauce rain down over their food, free-form. While I wouldn't normally expect this to be a big deal, the foodies of Singapore are so … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sauces & Dressings, Singapore

Recipe: Coconut Curd | Kaya

February 8, 2013 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

Singapore is a true melting pot. In every kitchen, you'll find time honored traditions from around the world, especially India, China, Malaysia, and Europe. Today's recipe, Kaya, belies the British influence on the islands. Think tea time and crumpets. But Asian-style. Here's the skinny: Kaya is Coconut Curd. Curd is a spread that's thickened with egg yolks... In this sense, Kaya is just like Britain's much adored lemon curd, but with the hauntingly addictive flavor of rich, velvety … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Breakfast, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sauces & Dressings, Singapore, Sweets, Vegetarian

Recipe: Massalé Spice Blend

January 27, 2013 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

The spice drawer is the most sensual part of any kitchen. On the inside seemingly innocuous dry, brittle seeds rattle around, each with the power to take our minds from continent to content, country to country. All we need is a little warmth to coax their magic out and something like a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle. Today's daydream takes us the Seychelles where they enjoy this haunting spice blend called "massalé" (a variation on Indian garam masala) in coconut fish curries. The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, International Recipes, Seasoning Blends & Pickles, Seychelles

Recipe: Tandoori marinade for fish or chicken

August 26, 2012 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

"It smells good in here." That's what Keith said as he wandered by. I was leaning in, photographing spoonfuls of spices that I'd later mix with yogurt for beautiful tandoori marinade. There was sweet, grassy coriander and bright lemon juice. Tangy yogurt and earthy garam masala. The ingredients slid together into intoxicating deliciousness - not without a bit of sass thanks to the fresh ginger and spicy garlic. Tandoori is enjoyed from Pakistan to India ... even, as we learned this week, as … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Grilling, International Recipes, Oceania, Palau, Poultry, Seafood, Seasoning Blends & Pickles

Recipe: Ginger Peach Barbecue Sauce

August 23, 2012 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

Way out in the Pacific ocean sits a bumpy, bumbling little island country called Palau. From what I hear, the fine people (20,000 strong) slather barbecue sauce on just about anything. Fish. Chicken. Even mussels. Some say it's the American influence on their cuisine, but I detect a nod to the rich gingery-garlic barbecue sauces of Asia as well. I immediately knew that I had to make homemade barbecue sauce to experience our Palauan Global Table to the fullest. And if I was going to … [Read more...]