Global Table Adventure

Recipe: 5 Step Mole Poblano

April 5, 2012 By Sasha Martin 24 Comments

I'll be honest. On the onset, learning how to make Mole Poblano sounded a lot like learning how to knit a wedding dress. Outrageously epic, but not entirely something I had the skills for. In case you've never heard of it, we're talking a Mexican recipe from Puebla that has a million, gazillion ingredients (ok, really just about two dozen), many cooking phases, and centuries of history behind it. Yikes. After staring at dozens of recipes, drinking several cups of tea, and more than a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gluten Free Adaptable, Mexico, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, North America, Potluck Friendly, Poultry, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sauces & Dressings, Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Ginger n’ Spice Tomato Sauce (Rougaille)

April 1, 2012 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

If there is one recipe that reflects the Mauritian potluck of global flavors, this is it. Rougaille. Let's take a walk through the flavors of this unusual sauce - I have a feeling you just might make friends. First, imagine a simple, homemade tomato sauce. The deep red goodness smells sweet and fresh. This sauce can be found in homes all across the world. Tomatoes, onion, garlic. Standard fare. Until you take a bite. Then you realize, this is more complex than you could have ever known. This … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Gluten Free Adaptable, Mauritius, Meat, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sauces & Dressings, Seafood, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Mauritian Chili Poppers (Gateaux Piments) (w/ poll)

March 30, 2012 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

If you have a hankering for a munchin', come with me via "stove top travel" to Mauritius. While there, we'll cozy up, picnic-style, with a basket of Gateaux Piments. These crisp, crunchy poppers are quite a bit like falafel and I got to try them thanks to you, dear readers, since they won your vote on our Facebook Fan Page as the split pea recipe you'd most like me to try. (Thank you!) What I find most exciting about these chili poppers is their intense, fresh flavor. Each bite reveals … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Finger Food, Gluten Free Adaptable, Mauritius, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Random Carbs & Grains, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Mechoui (Leg of Lamb with Dried Fruit Stuffing)

March 25, 2012 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

I think I've easily quadrupled my lamb intake (for my entire life) during this Global Table Adventure ... and we're only halfway through). Wowzers. As for Keith, a.k.a. Mr Picky, he claims to have never even had lamb until this Adventure. Today we're tackling the lambiest of all lamb dishes - Mechoui, a dish enjoyed in Mauritania and nearby Morocco. Think "epic stuffed leg of lamb." This Mauritanian version includes a sweet filling made with dried fruit and rice - a perfectly addicting way to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Mauritania, Meat, Recipes

Recipe: Sweet Potatoes & Fried Bananas (with poll)

March 16, 2012 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

The thing about eating our way around the world is that it makes me realize how very similar we all are. I don't mean the little things. I mean at our core. We all want to be happy. We all want love. We all get tired and we all get silly. I've even come to learn that we eat mostly the same foods, just in different combinations. Take today's recipe, for example... I've spent most of my life eating bananas in cereal and sweet potatoes with butter and chives. But today ... today we're … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, Marshall Islands, Oceania, Potatoes, Potluck Friendly, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Maltese Stuffed Artichokes (Qaqoċċ Mimli) (w/ poll)

March 9, 2012 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

I often wonder how many people walk by their supermarket's artichoke display squinting their eyes, unsure of what to do with this prickly porcupine of a vegetable. Being part Italian, I grew up eating artichokes and often take them for granted. I was thrilled this week to read that the Maltese also enjoy a giant, stuffed-to-the-brim artichoke - giving me a chance to indulge yet another time. A stuffed-to-the-brim artichoke is my favorite movie snack. Perfect Friday night fun. The challenge … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Fun Friday, Malta, Recipes, Vegetables/Pulses

Recipe: Roasted Whole Fish from the Maldives (Fihunu Mas)

February 23, 2012 By Sasha Martin 15 Comments

You should have seen my brother's face when I told him we were going to make whole fish for our Maldivian Global Table. His eyes about popped out of his head. In fact, my entire family - both brothers, my sister, mom, niece and nephew - was wary of the idea. While eating the whole fish is rare in the United States, we knew from experience that our family was in for a treat. We ate this meal in Florida, as part of a celebration of my mom's surprise 70th birthday, so I had a bounty of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Grilling, Maldives, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Seafood, Technique Thursday

Recipe: Glorious Beef Rendang

February 19, 2012 By Sasha Martin 8 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, kaffir 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