Recipe: Fijian Coconut Ceviche (Kokoda)

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Serves 4 (as an appetizer) Until Kokada entered my life, ceviche was uncharted territory for me. Raw fish dishes are definitely not native to my hometowns - Boston, Atlanta, Paris, or Luxembourg - they're really more of a tropical item. (Is it weird to say I have more than one hometown? It's all I know...) I had my reservations about consuming raw fish in landlocked Tulsa, Oklahoma - but, after taking a big sniff, the fishmonger assured me the mahi-mahi was fresh. What a flavor sensation … [Read more...]

Recipe: Estonian Smoked Herring Dip

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Makes 2 cups Get your next party jumping with Estonian Smoked herring dip, a nod to the great national fish of Estonia. No matter what the cooking method, Estonians typically serve herring with a sour cream and vinegar/lemon juice sauce. And now... for an unprecedented cooking tip from Mr Picky. First, he wants to know - how do you feel about sour cream? If you're a little unsure, he suggests making the dip drier by using less of the sour cream mixture - perhaps as little as half.  Who is … [Read more...]

Recipe: Stuffed Grilled Trout

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Serves 2 You've seen them at the fish market. Whole trout. Somewhat intimidating, but also intriguing.  Friends, if you've never ventured in the world of whole fish, I highly recommend it. Cooking them is beyond easy and the flavor is exceptional. Today we stuff them with peppers, onions, and fresh lemons -  flavors characteristic of Equatorial Guinea. Slightly spicy and super fresh - make this for a special occasion or just for fun. Ingredients: 2 whole trout, cleaned 1/4 cup … [Read more...]

Recipe: Timorese Grilled Tuna Steaks with Garlic and Butter

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Serves 4 Loads of garlic, butter, and sea salt make this tuna leap for joy. Forget tuna in a can. Fresh tuna steaks are as good, if not better than salmon. Bold and intense, this recipe will transport you to the flavors of East Timor and an incredible meal, as remembered by Karen Coates of Rambling Spoon. Read Karen's story - the inspiration for our recipe. Perfect for Valentine's day, or any special occasion. Ingredients: 4 Tuna steaks 4 Tbsp butter 3 cloves garlic coarse sea … [Read more...]

Recipe: Fried Frog Legs

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Makes 8 legs - Serves 2 What you are about to see is really, really strange. Some of you might be bothered by it. But, I promise, if you stay by my side, we'll get past all the strangeness and enter the amazing world of deep fried food. And, let's be honest, it's hard to go wrong with deep fried food. Ingredients: 8 frog legs (4 pair) For the coating: milk 1/2 cup flour 1 tsp ground thyme 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper Method: First, fill a pot half way with vegetable oil … [Read more...]

Recipe: Callaloo

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Serves 4-6 Callaloo, a luscious green stew made all over the Caribbean, is one of *those* recipes. It's like chili in the US; everyone lays claim to having the "best" version. And every version was made by someone's mama, so you best not mess with it. This version is made by Ava's mamma - me. But.. unlike those other recipes, feel free to mess with mine. After all, I'm a novice Callaloo maker and still have a lot to learn. Given the limitations of supplies around these parts, I went ahead … [Read more...]

Recipe: Smoked Salmon Smørrebrød

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Makes 12 canapés Throughout Scandinavia the smørrebrød, or open faced sandwich is the pretty way to eat lunch. I've turned them into dainty finger food, perfect for parties. Yum! Ingredients: 12 slices of dark rye bread or pumpernickel softened butter 1 package of smoked salmon 1/2 a cucumber, halved & sliced thinly thinly sliced red onion, to taste 1 lemon a few sprigs of fresh dill Method: Slice up all your ingredients so they are ready to go. Then, lay out … [Read more...]

Recipe: Warm Christmas Potato Salad (Seasoned Potatoes with Salt Cod)

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Serves 6 This warm salad benefits from the resourcefulness of Croatians who still enjoy preserved fish with salt. Mixed with creamy red potatoes, a bit of bacon, and green onion - this salad makes a great side dish for any eastern European meal. Ingredients: 1 pound boned, salted codfish 2 lbs red potatoes 3 green onions, sliced thinly fried bacon - 2-4 slices, crumbled olive oil Method: The day before serving: First, gather the salt cod. Salt cod is literally fish packed … [Read more...]