Global Table Adventure

Recipe: Taiwanese Shaved Ice Treat | Bào Bīng

May 23, 2013 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

I don't use curtains in my bedroom; I don't need them - someone would have to climb over our 8 foot fences and face our "attack cat," Malky in order to see inside my bedroom... and we all know that would pretty much ruin any possibility for us to be friends. Instead, I use half shutters, which allow me to see the moon at night and the birds during the day. It's my favorite space in my house. So peaceful. Anyway, the other morning I cracked open my eyes to discover the entire room was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Fruit, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Taiwan, Technique Thursday, Vegetarian

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: Syrian Lamb kebabs with Sour Cherries | Kebab Karaz

May 16, 2013 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

I can almost hear it; the hiss and sizzle of grills waking up from their long winter naps. It's warm in Oklahoma and we're ready to move our kitchen outside, into the sparkling sun. Today's inspiration comes from Syria and the pucker of sour cherries, which will be in season sometime in the next few weeks, depending where in the world you live. Syrian Lamb Kebabs with Cherries can be made two different ways. The first is easy - you string up the meat along with the sour cherries. The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Grilling, International Recipes, Meat, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Syria, Technique Thursday

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: Almond Carrot Cake | Aargauer Rüeblitorte

May 9, 2013 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

Yes, I have a three year old daughter. No, I don't hide a head of cauliflower in her mashed potatoes. I never slip zucchini in her pancakes when she's not looking. And I refuse to bury carrots in her cake. I don't cater to my daughter that way. Don't get me wrong. On any old Monday, Ava can blow through a bowl of cauliflower mashed potatoes. On the weekend, she can annihilate a tower of zucchini pancakes before the early bird has had his breakfast. And, as of today, she loves … [Read more...]

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

Recipe: Swedish Meatballs

May 3, 2013 By Sasha Martin 18 Comments

I never thought I'd say it but here goes: "I've spent the large majority of my adulthood pining over meatballs." Not just any meatballs, but Swedish meatballs. We used to eat them for lunch at my small high school in Luxembourg. On those days, I made sure to bring enough money to buy two portions. The bellyache was worth it. When made perfectly, Swedish Meatballs are tender, but do not fall apart, thanks to the perfect balance of breadcrumbs and cream. After a brisk sizzle and shake in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Meat, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweden

Recipe: Swedish Princess Cake | Prinsesstårta

May 2, 2013 By Sasha Martin 22 Comments

They say this spring green dome from the 1930's made with layers of sponge cake, raspberry jam, custard, and whipped cream is DIFFICULT. Everyone says so, in fact, except for the Swedes. Curious, right? I finally figured out why: Swedish folk have great recipes and three quarters of a century's worth of tips and tricks up their sleeves. Like, ahem, pre-rolled marzipan and boxed custard. I even saw one Swedish video which used prepacked cake, already sliced in thirds. "We all start out as … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweden, Sweets, Vegetarian

Recipe: Mealie Bread

April 24, 2013 By Sasha Martin 13 Comments

The next time you walk into your kitchen, walk into the warm, sweet scent of mealie bread. Let a smile curl along your lips as you taste that first, moist bite with your imagination. Then take a moment for real indulgence: spread softened butter across the still-warm bread, only to see it melt into and down the sides of the tender crumb. I've had lots of corn bread before, but never something as rich and flavorful as this Mealie Bread. The main difference between this and ordinary corn … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Breads, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Swaziland, Vegetarian