Global Table Adventure

Recipe: Moroccan Carrot & Juicy Orange Salad

May 20, 2012 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

Pretty, pretty, pretty. Say hello to the juiciest carrot salad in the world. Inspired by the cuisine of Morocco, the salad blends shredded carrots with fresh squeezed orange juice (loads of pulp!), cinnamon, sugar, and orange blossom water. It's all kinds of crazy and... it works. I felt that, hot on the heels of our Mongolian Carrot salad, it'd be fun to make a variation from Morocco. And I'm so glad I took the risk. This is one wild salad. So take a deep breath, and breathe in the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Gluten Free Adaptable, Morocco, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Salads, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Moroccan Honey Buttered Semolina “Crater” Pancakes (w/ poll)

May 18, 2012 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

Oh, goodness. Where do I even begin? Do you see that honey dripping off the edge of the crater cakes? Each drop is perfumed with the haunting aroma of orange blossom water and butter. Hello. I mean, really. I'm pretty sure I can just pack up and go home now. My job is done. Talk about good-glorious-eats! But, for those few who aren't yet sure if this Moroccan treat - officially called Beghrir - is right for their breakfast table, let me continue. These semolina pancakes aren't … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Breakfast, Fun Friday, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Morocco, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Random Carbs & Grains, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetarian

Recipe: Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Sweet Honey Figs

May 17, 2012 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

Today I'm taking you to a special place where family and friends gather around the dinner table with happy hearts. Silverware is optional, but bread is not. Settle into this sacred space, where tagine of lamb meets chestnuts, figs, cinnamon, honey, and orange blossom water. Pause for a moment to celebrate this crazy wonderful combination, to feel the hot air blow through your hair, then dig in and scoop up the glory with a handful of bread. When you're done, cozy up to an evening of conversation … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Gluten Free Adaptable, Meat, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Morocco, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday

Recipe: Chilled Buckwheat Noodle Salad with Feta & Cracked Black Pepper

May 13, 2012 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

It only seems natural that we eat something black during our week at the Black Mountain (a.k.a Montenegro). But here's the thing - nothing in life is black and white. There are all sorts of shades of gray (that's where the beauty is - somewhere in the muddled middle). So, in the spirit of variety, we're adding a few shades of gray to our pasta. We've got black pepper, white feta, and charcoal grey buckwheat noodles with a bit of sparkle from pools of golden olive oil. This is simple as … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Gluten Free Adaptable, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Montenegro, Pasta, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetarian

Recipe: Ajvar, Roasted Pepper Spread

May 10, 2012 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

Some days I dream about reinventing myself - pulling myself up, out of the ordinary into the wildly wonderful. On these ornery-sorts-of-days, I imagine myself strutting around in a bold color I've never worn before, like mustard yellow. On really good days I actually make these dreams happen. I become a mustard-wearing queen. Other days I just end up wearing mustard. Literally. That's the way life goes: sometimes change works, sometimes it doesn't. The fun is in the trying. Are you willing … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dips, Europe, Gluten Free Adaptable, Grilling, Montenegro, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sauces & Dressings, Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Mongolian Carrot Salad (w/ Poll)

May 4, 2012 By Sasha Martin 14 Comments

In Mongolia, the seemingly endless parade of meat, meat, and more meat, is only occasionally interrupted by vegetables. And, even then, relief doesn't come with a garden salad, but rather some combination of root vegetables. This is because there really isn't a whole lot of good farmland in the giant, cold, central Asian country - only the hardiest specimens make it. In the big city, versions of this simple carrot salad can be found, either dressed in a vinaigrette (as I have done) or in a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mongolia, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Salads, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Mongolian Millet & Green Milk Tea (Suutei Tsai)

May 3, 2012 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

If tea time in your home means sweet, sugary cups of deliciousness, think again. This week we're sipping on salty, milky green tea cooked with buttery toasted millet. This is one of the more elaborate versions of Suutei Tsai - a famous Mongolian drink enjoyed out on the cold steppes. Each sip tastes of milk and salt and cereal - but the drink also has a remarkable drying effect in the mouth, thanks to a healthy dose of naturally astringent green tea. This is absolutely the strangest tea I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol-Free, Asia, Gluten Free Adaptable, Hot, Mongolia, Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegetarian

Recipe: Cognac n’ Herb Tapenade

April 29, 2012 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

Introducing the black diamond of Monaco: Tapenade. She glitters in the night. She belies the briny bite of the absolutely fabulous. But here's the thing. She's also, not so secretly, rustic. This dip and crostini topper has its origins in the grassy hills of Provence. Love for this treat spills over into Monaco and parts of Italy. While many people pulverize their blend to a paste (with a mortar and pestle or even a food processor), I prefer a rustic, coarse mixture. I like seeing the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dips, Europe, Gluten Free Adaptable, Monaco, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetables/Pulses