Global Table Adventure | Miss Ava’s Favorite Recipes

Recipe: Cocoa Tea

November 23, 2012 By Sasha Martin 21 Comments

When I told Ava that the fine people of Saint Lucia like to wake up in the morning and drink Cocoa Tea, she squinted her eyes, titled her head, and said "what mama?" "It's like hot cocoa," I smiled, "but richer, and seasoned with cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg." Her eyes instantly popped open in recognition and the corners of her lips curled impishly. I showed her my mound of chocolate chips and added that in Saint Lucia they use cocoa sticks and balls to make their Cocoa Tea, but we'd … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol-Free, Breakfast, Christmas, Fun Friday, Hot, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, North America, Potluck Friendly, Saint Lucia, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian

Recipe: Caribbean Fry Bakes

November 22, 2012 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

This week I've completely given up: - shooing the cat off our bed - working so hard, I can't see straight. - being in a hurry - doing the laundry - eating boxed cereal Instead, I'm now: - snuggling my cat - not-so-accidentally forgetting my phone at home - dancing with my daughter with the curtains wide open - playing board games with family - gobbling up bakes Thanksgiving week is a time for a little closer look at what matters. It's about family, not work. It's about … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breads, Breakfast, Carbs, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, North America, Saint Lucia, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Peas n’ Rice

November 16, 2012 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

There's a tall, skinny window, in a full-of-love kitchen in Brooklyn, where one can set a giant pot of rice to cool. Under the icy winter sun, steam rolls up and fogs the panes. With a swipe of the hand you can peer out at the city below, but the glass now clings to a dream of sauteed peppers, onion, garlic, celery, and thyme. This special place is my friend Marina's kitchen, where I cooked our Global Table this past week while I was in NYC. There's nothing to this recipe. And yet it is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gluten Free Adaptable, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, North America, Potluck Friendly, Rice, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Rum Glazed Coconut Bread Pudding

November 15, 2012 By Sasha Martin 22 Comments

It's a fact of life: when the wind howls, children everywhere refuse to wear their coats. They arch their little backs, squeal-whine and assert "I don't need a coat, mama." In this situation, we have two choices. We can hunker down and try (struggle) to put their coat on, until one or both of us are crying. Or. (Or is that beautiful word that keeps life bearable and tantrums at a minimum.) Or... we can stand outside with them, coatless in the wind, just for a moment. We can feel … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breads, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, North America, Potluck Friendly, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweets, Technique Thursday, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian

Recipe: White Sweet Potato Fries

November 9, 2012 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

Sweet potatoes are up there with a good hair cut, purring cats, and sunlight through fiery autumn leaves. The simple sweetness is all I need on a chilly evening. But it's not all about the coppery hued variety, which litter my counter tops like fallen leaves. There's such a thing as white sweet potatoes, too. Rwandans love sweet potatoes, especially white sweet potatoes which they boil, mash, and even fry. I first saw this in action on the a Peace Corps blog En Route Rwanda: With help … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potatoes, Rwanda, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Pumpkin Olad’yi

November 2, 2012 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

Sometimes it's hard being a mom. Take this week, for example. People I don't even know have been throwing candy at my daughter from giant parade floats. They call it Halloween, but I call it "the reason why my daughter is still awake an hour and a half past her bedtime, thrashing around like a junkie in withdrawal." You see, I don't let Ava eat all her candy in one sitting. She gets a couple of pieces at snack time for a few days in a row. That's it. Any candy that remains gets donated to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breakfast, Europe, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Russia, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetarian

Recipe: Cumin Seed Potatoes | Batata b’kamun

October 19, 2012 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

When I look up at the turmeric-colored leaves that dangle in our now somewhat skeletal trees, I know I need a change. I crave something warm, comforting and full of spice. But I need it to happen quick, so I can run back outside, lay on my back, and watch those leaves shimmy and shake on their way down to the ground. Unless, I can find a compromise. A quick recipe I can bring on a picnic. One that can stand up to a chilly autumn afternoon and a toddler who recently got a big girl … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potatoes, Potluck Friendly, Qatar, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Tuna & Chickpea Salad | Atum com Grão

October 14, 2012 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

Paulo from Portugal told me Atum com Grão is the salad he served at his wedding. The wedding was in France, but they wanted to imbue the reception with a taste of his homeland. Being a very visual person, I immediately imagined his elegant, windswept bride in flowing white gown, chowing down on tuna and chickpeas tossed with onion, lemon juice, and parsley. To be honest, I relish the thought of a bride with tuna and onion breath. How brave. How confident! How awesome these people … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Portugal, Salads, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Seafood