Global Table Adventure

Recipe: Stuffed and Fried Potato Wedges (Mbatan Batata)

December 29, 2011 By Sasha Martin 8 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, International Recipes, Libya, Meat, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potatoes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday

Recipe: Smoked Ham & Green Bean Jollof

December 18, 2011 By Sasha Martin 4 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, International Recipes, Liberia, Meat, Potluck Friendly, Rice, Sasha's Favorite Recipes

Recipe: Lao Rice Noodle Soup (Foe)

November 10, 2011 By Sasha Martin 8 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, International Recipes, Laos, Meat, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Pasta, Potluck Friendly, 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, International Recipes, Kyrgyzstan, Meat, Pasta, 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...]

Filed Under: Europe, International Recipes, Kosovo, Meat, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Rice, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetables/Pulses

Recipe: Kenyan Nyama (Stewed Beef)

September 25, 2011 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

Serves 4 Hello, sky. Have you been outside lately? It's amazing. The sky wants to swallow me up into a great big smile. Go ahead - check it out - take a look. See if it does the same thing to you, too. And the coolest part? That same sky you're looking at - I'm looking at it, too. We're all looking at it. Together. Over here, in Oklahoma-land, we're tiptoeing into fall. I know because I recently felt the first chill of winter - the one that hits you upon walking outside in flip … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, International Recipes, Kenya, Meat, Potluck Friendly

Recipe: Central Asian Noodle Stew (Lagman Shurpa)

September 15, 2011 By Sasha Martin 8 Comments

Serves 4 Are you in need of some revitalization? A breath of fresh air? Are you worn out, tired, or just plain sad? Are you cold? I'm with you. I'm all of the above. When I feel like this I just don't know what I want. I want everything. And nothing. All at once. I want to sleep. I want to watch movie after movie. I want soup. I want lots and lots of noodles. And then I feel guilty and want some veggies. But not the crunchy, raw kind. Nope, the cozy cooked … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, International Recipes, Kazakhstan, Meat, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Pasta, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Soups, Technique Thursday

Recipe: Alfred’s Pork Ravioli

August 18, 2011 By Sasha Martin 22 Comments

Makes enough filling for at least 150 standard ravioli I have fond memories of curling up on the basement stairs, hanging over the railing, watching my great-great, very distant I'm-not-quite-sure-how-we're-related cousin, Alfred, make ravioli. I'll never forget the way the ravioli rolling pin zipped out dozens of ravioli in a heartbeat. Alfred lived to 103 and I attribute that partly to the fact that he continued making ravioli two-three times a year, well into his nineties. He'd make a … [Read more...]