Global Table Adventure

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...]

Filed Under: Alcohol-Free, Christmas, Gluten Free Adaptable, Guatemala, Hot, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, North America, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian

Recipe: 1 2 3 4 Caribbean Rum Punch

May 22, 2011 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

Makes...as much as you can handle! I'm no mixologist, so I love when there's a clear cut way to mix a drink, such as with the ever-mighty Rum Punch. The recipe is easy to remember, as long as you can count to four. You'll need 1 part sour, 2 parts sweet, 3 parts strong, 4 parts weak. As for what specific ingredients to use? That's where you get to be creative. Take "Sweet" for example: that could be a sugar syrup or a naturally sweet fruit juice. You get to choose. I went for a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol, Cold, Grenada, International Recipes, North America

Recipe: West-African Inspired Watermelon Lemonade

May 8, 2011 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

Makes 1.5 quarts Gulp, gulp, slurp. A quart and half of homemade Watermelon Lemonade lasts 13.3 minutes in this house. When served out of half a melon? It's gone quicker than a cat's meow. As the pitcher empties, our bellies swell - Mr. Picky's most of all. He loves the stuff. He's been known to drink an entire cup in one long draw, his eyes grinning over the rim. Today's recipe is inspired by the flavors of Ghana, where heavy watermelons pile up in the markets all summer long. This … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol-Free, Asia, Cold, Ghana, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

How to homebrew: German Altbier (Beer)

May 1, 2011 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

I know very little about beer. So little, in fact, that I've been known to drink it on ice. While I've been told this is an epic sin, I can't help myself. There's nothing better after a hot, sweaty bike ride in the summer than beer on ice. That being said, I thought our German Global Table was the perfect opportunity to take a stab at homebrewing. This is my step-by-step eperience making German Altbier. I am using the Brewer's Best kit which can be purchased at High Gravity in Tulsa, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol, Cold, Europe, Germany, International Recipes

Recipe: Lover’s Lemon Ginger Tea (Gingembre)

April 17, 2011 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

Makes about 3 cups concentrated juice Want to fall in love vigorously? Ease a nasty stomach bug immediately? Wake up cheerfully? Drink a giant glass of spicy, cold lemon ginger tea. It's like a big punch in the face, but in a good way. This drink is so strong, you'll do the post-whiskey-shot shudder. Our recipe is a concentrated blend - be sure to water it down to taste. Special tip for the flu season - add a splash of hot water to dilute for a great, cleansing drink. Perfect if your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Alcohol-Free, Cold, Gambia (The), International Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes

Recipe: Finnish Blueberry Milk

March 26, 2011 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

Makes about 1 1/2 quarts The Finns are a healthy bunch. Between foraging for berries and milking cows, it is no wonder that they also enjoy slurping blueberry milk - an antioxidant rich powerhouse of a drink. Not to mention - it's blue - an underutilized color in cooking. Pretty cool in my book. This recipe is adapted from The Best of Finnish Cooking. They used half as much milk than I did - which would make a thicker and much bluer mixture. Play around and see what works for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol-Free, Cold, Europe, Finland, International Recipes

Ethiopian Inspired Coffee Ceremony (Bunna Ceremony)

March 10, 2011 By Sasha Martin 15 Comments

At best, I was ill-prepared to perform an Ethiopian coffee ceremony. #1, I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. #2, I lack every single piece of traditional Ethiopian coffee-making equipment there could possibly be. In fact, the only proper element I have is a bag of green coffee beans. Tilda's parents brought them all the way over from Ethiopia, known as the birthplace of coffee. At least the coffee was right. I got to work, putting my college nickname "MacGyver" to good use. What follows are the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Alcohol-Free, Ethiopia, Gluten Free Adaptable, Holidays, Hot, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Creamy Sweet Corn Drink (Atol de elote)

February 13, 2011 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

Serves 3 In El Salvador, Atol is made with fresh corn kernels, milk, cinnamon, and sugar. My version is simplified for the home cook - but if you have the time, and if it is in season, cut the corn straight off the cob. Do it while listening to Salvadoran music, just because. Ingredients: 1 lb frozen corn, thawed 2 cups milk 1 cinnamon stick 1/4-1/2 cup sugar extra milk, as needed ground cinnamon for garnish Method: Add golden nuggets of goodness to a medium pot. Balance a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol-Free, El Salvador, Gluten Free Adaptable, Hot, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, North America, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetarian