Global Table Adventure

Recipe: Glorious Beef Rendang

February 19, 2012 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

Beef Rendang is an art. And I could eat it every single day of my life. While there are many ways to make this flavorful curry, there are two things for certain - the dish must be slow-cooked until the flavor absorbs completely into the meat, and - secondly - the curry must explode with flavor. In a good way. The flavor part is the easiest. In fact, there are so many amazing ingredients - galangal, ginger, lemongrass, keffir lime leaves to name a few - that you can't help but make an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Malaysia, Meat, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes

Recipe: Pizza. Love, from Macedonia (Pastrmajlija)

January 26, 2012 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

The air buzzes with excitement. Ava pats the dough and we're on our way to Macedonian pizza (Pastrmajlija), an addicting combination of diced pork, olive oil, and cracked eggs. Together, her little hands next to my big hands, we shape the pizza two ways -first in a traditional full-moon circle and then in a Valentine's-inspired heart. While some might say the shapes taste the same, I beg to differ. Anything heart-shaped tastes infinitely better than that same … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breads, Europe, Macedonia, Meat, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday

Recipe: Pork Roast with Boozy Prunes

January 15, 2012 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

Remember the Sunday afternoon roast? How, as it slowly sizzled and crackled in the oven, the most wonderful smell crept throughout the house until there was nowhere to hide, and you were so hungry you almost couldn't stand it? Eventually, playing outside was the only possible distraction. Even then the smell snuck out, through cracks in the wall, enticing you until you mysteriously found yourself infront of mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, just about anyone who would listen, asking "Is it ready … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Lithuania, Meat, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes

Recipe: Stuffed and Fried Potato Wedges (Mbatan Batata)

December 29, 2011 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

The New Year is all about possibility, hope, health, and doing things better. That's why I'll be deep frying as the ball drops. But I'm not deep-frying just anything. This isn't the state fair (where everything from butter to kool-aid makes it into the bubbling oil). I'm in the real world. This is a Libyan dish - one that combines the best of everything - delicate potato wedges, stuffed with wonderfully spiced meat loaded up with fresh parsley, crunchy breadcrumbs and a whole lot of yum. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Finger Food, Libya, Meat, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potatoes, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday

Recipe: Smoked Ham & Green Bean Jollof

December 18, 2011 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

I'm that girl who orders the same thing over and over again at restaurants. I know - not what you'd expect from someone cooking the world. But I can't help it. I like knowing what to expect. Plus, there's nothing worse than wasting hard-earned money on a dish that I could possibly end up hating. After all, it's not like I can send the food back just because I don't like it. Now, to be fair, I'm a completely different person at home. Without the burden of outrageous restaurant bills, I'm a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Liberia, Meat, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Rice, Sasha's Favorite Recipes

Recipe: Lao Rice Noodle Soup (Foe)

November 10, 2011 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

It's time we take back the expression "Have it your way" from that mega corporate burger joint and put it back where it belongs - into our homes, onto our own homemade-with-love meals. Take this soup from Laos, for example. Traditionally served for breakfast, but great any time of day, Foe is a celebration of individuality, creativity and having it exactly how you want it - without chemicals, junk and gunk. Foe is a rice noodle soup from Laos, typically made with beef, pork or chicken. In … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Gluten Free Adaptable, Laos, Meat, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Pasta, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Soups, Technique Thursday

Recipe: Kyrgyz stuffed & rolled pasta (Oromo)

November 3, 2011 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

Truth: anything coiled up is infinitely better than the same item not coiled. Think cinnamon rolls... princess Leia's hair... really flexible kitty cats napping... and now, as never seen in my kitchen before Global Table Adventure, Oromo. This Kyrgyz dish of rolled and coiled pasta filled with various stuffings is pure genius. Unlike Italian stuffed pastas, no cheese is used as binder. Instead the filling is commonly meat and veggies (such as sweet potatoes or pumpkin). While it remains a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Meat, Pasta, Recipes, Technique Thursday

Recipe: Beef & Sausage Stuffed Peppers

October 21, 2011 By Sasha Martin 9 Comments

I love presents. Surprises. Happy faces. So does my daughter. Imagine her ecstatic two-year old delight, then, when her dinner was a lidded present filled with a bounty of rice, sausage and beef? But the real surprise wasn't her reaction - it was Keith's. My very own Mr. Picky has been asking for stuffed peppers ever since I made them last week.Who knew this man would fall so hard for a simple stuffed pepper. Who knew he'd be so easy to please. He's right, though. And, for the record, so is … [Read more...]