Global Table Adventure

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

Recipe: Battered Plantains with Peanut Sauce | Bakabana

April 21, 2013 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

Bakabana is a traditional treat in Suriname. All you do is take very ripe plantains (i.e. blackened), deep fry them, and dust the crispy, fried goodness with powdered sugar. Alternatively, you can serve them with homemade peanut sauce. The result is a crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside, finger-licking snack. What could go wrong? (Actually, a lot. I made this recipe three times, before I finally figured out that I needed cornstarch to make the batter crispy. For reference see … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Finger Food, Global Table, International Recipes, Random Carbs & Grains, South America, Suriname, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Mixed Vegetable Salad with Coconut Dressing | Goedangan

April 19, 2013 By Sasha Martin 1 Comment

Introducing Geodangan, your answer to healthy munchies. (Honestly, I'm not sure if there's such a thing as healthy munchies. But if there were, then this is it.) This Asian-style salad that is incredibly popular in Suriname. And for good reason. Don't be shy. Geodangan is everything spring has to offer - crisp green beans, giant cabbages, golden yolked eggs... with the addition of a coconut, lime, yogurt dressing. (The dressing could also be coconut sambal, a spicy shredded coconut … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Salads, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, South America, Suriname, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Lemongrass Dawet

April 18, 2013 By Sasha Martin Leave a Comment

Lemongrass. Coconut milk. Slushie. Pink. Pink. Pink. Hello. The weather's been heating up lately, so when I happened up this Dawet recipe so beloved in Suriname, I knew we had to try it. When I discovered it was also enjoyed in slushie form? I did a little dance. Slushies are always a good idea. The refreshing, tropical drink is made with an easy, homemade lemongrass syrup, a swirl of coconut milk, and a splash of water (or ice, if making a slushie). Dawet originates from Asia, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alcohol-Free, Cold, Drinks, Global Table, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, South America, Suriname, Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: South Sudanese Tomato Salad

April 11, 2013 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

The South Sudanese love a good, chopped tomato salad on the side of their meals. Often, it's no more than tomato, onion, and hot, green chili peppers... perhaps a spot of parsley... But other times, a bit of peanut butter and lime juice makes for a grand dressing... and tastes just like home, if you happen to be from South Sudan. When I was deciding which of the two recipes to try, the choice was clear: if peanut butter is involved, the answer is yes. Most definitely, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Salads, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sudan (South), Vegan, Vegetarian

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