Global Table Adventure

Recipe: Toasted Coconut Paste for Curries (Kerisik) (w/ poll)

February 17, 2012 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

If you want to feel totally epic, trying making kerisik, a toasted, ground coconut paste that looks a great deal like natural peanut butter. Kerisik is used in Malaysia to thicken and flavor curries, like Beef Rendang. There's something incredibly rewarding about making your own, whether you do it the traditional way (in a mortar and pestle) or the modern way (in a food processor). In just ten minutes your entire home fills with the warm smell of toasted coconut. For my kerisik, I used 14 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, Malaysia, Seasoning Blends & Pickles, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Dipping sauce with Chippies (Tsabola) (w/ poll)

February 10, 2012 By Sasha Martin Leave a Comment

Today's fun recipe is a 5 minute African salsa. You'll need two accessories to make this snack completely Malawi, however: blue pastic bags and your most favorite potato wedges. Here's how it works: simply chop up onions, tomatoes, hot peri peri peppers (I used Thai bird chilies). Mix it all around with loads of salt. While I normally go light on the salt, you need to use a heavy hand when making Tsabola ... as Brittany (Be-ing Brittany), a Community Health Advisor in Malawi, tells … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Dips, Gluten Free Adaptable, Malawi, Potatoes, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Roast Beet Slaw with Spicy Horseradish

January 15, 2012 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

It may have happened when you were five. Or maybe, just maybe, not until today. Either way, this much I know for sure: there comes a time in every person's life when they come face to face with the mighty beet. Some will cower or run away, while others - like the Lithuanians, will chow down with enthusiasm. In this traditional slaw, roasted beets blend with tear-inducing horseradish and vinegar...creating a spicy, sour accompaniment that goes particularly well with beef and fish. P.S. Start … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Gluten Free Adaptable, Lithuania, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Salads, Seasoning Blends & Pickles, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Wooden Spoon Applesauce (with poll)

January 6, 2012 By Sasha Martin 19 Comments

Sometimes I buy fruit and it just... sits there. Life takes over. I go for hikes, I play catch with my daughter, I eat the candy from my stocking, and... before I know it, I just forget to eat them. I do this a lot with apples because they last so long and are so forgiving. Eventually, the time comes when they lose a bit of shine and a few bruises pop up. If this should happen to you, applesauce is the way to go. I didn't realize how easy it would be to make until I did it this week. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Fruit, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, Liechtenstein, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sauces & Dressings, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Kiss your Mother Garlic-lemon Sauce (Toum)

December 3, 2011 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

Adding a handful of spices to a pot of sauce can be cause to say "Bam." Or so I've heard. But how about making sauce with an entire head garlic? Raw garlic? Raw garlic with nothing but a heap of lemon juice and olive oil to thin it out? They do it in Lebanon. And it's fabulous. Just one thing ... No one will ever kiss you again. Except your mother. Bam! NOTE: Use sparingly. Especially on hot days, when your pores are likely to sweat out the scent of this intense pasta … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Gluten Free Adaptable, Lebanon, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sauces & Dressings, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Baba Ghanoush with Roasted Garlic

December 1, 2011 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

When I'm at parties I like to dip, dip, dip. You'll recognize me immediately - I'm the one in the corner, filling up on dip before the meal ever comes. And if, for some reason, I'm not? Just know that's where I really want to be. When it comes to dips, baba ganoush is everything I never thought it would be. Roasted eggplant, far from bitter, transforms into a smoky and smooth treat , able to fill my belly in just the right sort of way - without that greasy, pop-out-my-bellybutton feeling … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Dips, Gluten Free Adaptable, Lebanon, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Baltic Cranberry Sauce (w/ poll)

November 18, 2011 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

Cranberries. Right now. It's their time to shine. Latvians know what's up when it comes to the cranberry. They eat it whipped in clouds of pudding, layered with breads, and beyond. Today, however, is about a mountain of sugar. A squiggle of orange zest. A few minutes on the stove and you're done. It's really that simple. Here's what I did: 4 cups cranberries 1 cup water 1 cup sugar, extra to taste 2 tsp strips of orange zest. Quickly look through your cranberries as you put … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas, Europe, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, Holidays, Latvia, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sauces & Dressings, Vegan, Vegetarian

Beetlejuice? Oh, Jeow! Let’s go to Laos (w/ poll)

November 11, 2011 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

It took me a few tries to figure out what Jeow means. Turns out Jeow is a lot of things, but mainly any sort of dipping sauce, typically made with char-grilled veggies. Sometimes spicy. Sometimes not. Always delicious. It could be vegetarian or it could be made with crushed beetles. Or anything in between. I'll skip to the chase: my version is beetle free. Phew. And it's also really easy. Recipe for a Simple Jeow 3 tomatoes 3 Thai bird chilies 1 head … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Dips, Fun Friday, Laos, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian