Global Table Adventure | Miss Ava’s Favorite Recipes

Recipe: Sudanese Kisra | Sorghum Crepes

April 11, 2013 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

I never thought I'd need a cow's brain and a credit card for this lil' ol' Global Table Adventure of ours. The thing is, if I were to make Kisra in the most authentic way - the South Sudanese way - that's exactly what I'd need. Locals would use the cow's brain, which is naturally quite fatty, to grease the pan. I got the tip on good authority; from this amazing South Sudanese food post on Green Shakes in Sudan. There you'll find photos of local women rubbing brain renderings on their … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Breads, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sudan (South), Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Sudanese Flatbread | Gorraasa

April 7, 2013 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

Gorraasa is a soft, doughy bread enjoyed in the Sudan that tastes like a really thick tortilla. The texture is a bit more spongy, however, and when I pulled mine into pieces, I was delighted to find the slight elasticity at once addicting and good for picking up food. Which is exactly how the Sudanese use Gorraasa. They place a round of Gorraasa under stewed meats or other entrees, then tear off bits of the bread to pick up the food instead of using utensils. It can also be enjoyed on its … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Breads, Breakfast, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Sudan (North), Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Cucumber Yogurt Salad | Salatet Zabady bil ajur

April 5, 2013 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

A cucumber salad is a thing of beauty. It cools, it refreshes, and it provides important nutrition thanks to a happy scoop of yogurt and tons of fiber from the cucumber (not to mention garlic's anti-vampire qualities). While cucumber salads span the globe in one form or another, this version is popular through the Middle East, western Asia, and even parts of Europe (with minor variations). In Sudan, this salad can be enjoyed on it's own, as a dip* or on the side of spiced meats, like grilled … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Salads, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sudan (North), Vegetarian

Recipe: Sudanese Cinnamon Tea

April 4, 2013 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

Under the pulsing noonday sun, Tea Ladies line the streets of Sudan. They soak up what little shade they can find. Water simmers over charcoal stoves. They swirl a mishmash of ingredients through the steam, into the pot. You can pick your combination. Will it be mint? Or what about ginger? The most popular option for many patrons is cinnamon tea, a blend of black tea steeped with cinnamon sticks. Many patrons like to hold a sugar cube between the teeth while drinking to sweeten the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Alcohol-Free, Gluten Free Adaptable, Hot, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sudan (North), Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Sri Lankan Yellow Rice | Kaha Bath

March 31, 2013 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

After you make this recipe, you will be haunted. Your home will blossom with the tropical scents of Sri Lanka. And your mouth will beg to remember each bite: the slightly toasted note from the curry leaves, the vanilla-like pandan, and the ultra creamy coconut milk. Not to forget the cinnamon, because.. well, how could we? This sweet, sweet earthiness pulls the rice together. Yes. When it comes to this rice, it's all good. Now, there's nothing simpler than this rice. This is an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Rice, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sri Lanka, Vegan

Recipe: Coconut Roti

March 28, 2013 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

The best thing about thinking I don't like something, is finding out how wrong I am. I've always operated under the assumption that flaked coconut is much too squeaky between my teeth. Sri Lanka and these Coconut Roti proved me wrong. There's something so refreshing about dumping three ingredients in a bowl and emerging with warm, doughy flatbread that smells like a day in the tropics. Or Sri Lanka, to be specific. In fact, I did an entire post cataloging the best recipes with three … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Breads, Breakfast, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sri Lanka, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: White Dal Curry

March 28, 2013 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

My friend Ruby grew up in Sri Lanka and spent the better part of her 40th birthday making sure I learned everything there is to know about the food. Here she is drinking Ceylon Tea, grown in ... you guessed it... Sri Lanka! Ruby isn't keen on cooking (or so she claims), so she supervised while her dear friend Iona showed me the ropes. Iona blew me away by whipping up not one, not two, but three curries. I fell in love each steaming, fragrant batch. There was everything from beef to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sri Lanka, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Churros with Cinnamon Sugar

March 24, 2013 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

Much to my husband's dismay, I am not well acquainted with deep-fried desserts. There is one exception: the apple cider doughnuts mom made when I was little. She'd set up a giant pot of bubbling oil and we'd cut and drop discs of cider dough into the shimmering oil, waiting with glee until tiny donuts bobbed up to the surface, golden brown and irresistible. Then we rolled the puffy rounds in cinnamon sugar. But then... this week... Spain introduced me to Churros... and the words "deep … [Read more...]