Global Table Adventure | Vegetables/Pulses

Recipe: Weeknight Cod Fish Feijoada

December 23, 2012 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

One of our readers, Annabelle, suggested we try today's Cod Fish Feijoada. This filling, yet healthy Portuguese stew made it's way to the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe during colonization. Things have evolved quite a bit since then. While most Feijoada's involve black beans (even as far away as the one we made for Brazil), the islanders favor this white bean version and make it with readily available fish (and sometimes pork). The entire principal is a slow-cooked, tender meal full of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, International Recipes, Potluck Friendly, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seafood, Vegetables/Pulses

Recipe: Sweet Potato Frittata

December 20, 2012 By Sasha Martin 17 Comments

Ava grabbed the small, purple step stool and placed it squarely in front of the kitchen counter. She's gone through a growth spurt lately and yet my little girl still stands on her tippy toes to see into the mixing bowl. On days like today, when I see her eyes peep over the top of the bowl and grow wide with delight, I hope she never grows up. With quick jabs of her whisk, she pops the yolks and helps stir together the frittata mixture. In the background we hear the delicous sizzle of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Breakfast, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potatoes, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Samoan Coconut Creamed “Spinach” | Palusami

December 6, 2012 By Sasha Martin 14 Comments

Oh, boy. I honestly never thought this would happen. Me. Canned meat. Together at the table. At the Global Table. When I decided to cook a meal for every country in the world, I had visions of exotic spices laced throughout grand feasts of epic proportions. I imagined a variety of fresh herbs, carefully plucked from a garden somewhere. Canned corned beef, never really popped up in these daydreams. But, when Soraya the Samoan suggested I try Palusami, I quickly learned the time … [Read more...]

Filed Under: International Recipes, Meat, Oceania, samoa, Technique Thursday, Vegetables/Pulses

Recipe: Caribbean Pumpkin & Coconut Cream Bisque

November 30, 2012 By Sasha Martin 15 Comments

I know three things for sure: this Caribbean soup cannot wipe out old college debt, or go gift shopping for us... or even stop that dog from barking a few houses over (unless that particular dog likes soup?). That being said, I have personal proof that this soup can help you bring love into the kitchen and give your family just a little escape from the ordinary. As you whip it up, the house will fill with the scent of pumpkin, ginger and coconut cream - that's when it'll start. Your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gluten Free Adaptable, North America, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Soups, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Rwandan “Agatogo” with Collard Greens

November 8, 2012 By Sasha Martin 7 Comments

There's an old Rwandan saying "The most extensive land is the human belly." I like to think there's mountains and streams in there, glorious sunsets and easy, glimmering sunrises. Is that somehow unsavory? I don't know. I do know I want this land to be vast, and include as much variety as possible. I want to fit the whole world in there. And this, my friends, includes the plantain. Plantains have been an issue for my family from the beginning. Ava isn't really keen on them (or bananas). … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, International Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Random Carbs & Grains, Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Recipe: Transylvanian Cauliflower Casserole with Cheese

October 26, 2012 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

I don't usually give a lot of thought to Dracula, except for that one era in the nineties when several movies came out and I read "Interview with a Vampire" in two and a half late-night sittings. For a long time afterwards my brain bore the imprint of fear. Do not leave the windows open in the glittering, eerie night, a little voice told me. Whatever you do, sleep with garlic in close proximity - preferably around the neck, the voice added. (I would have done so, if it hadn't been so … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, International Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Romania, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetables/Pulses

Recipe: Romanian Stuffed Cabbage Leaves (Sarmale)

October 25, 2012 By Sasha Martin 6 Comments

Cabbage patch kids always seemed creepy to me when I was little. What kind of baby grows out of a cabbage? Could you still eat the cabbage once you harvested the baby? This doll raised lots of questions. Not to say this stopped me from wanting a cabbage patch doll more than Rainbow Brite leggings, because I did. The urge was major. Now that I am a couple (few) decades older, I know exactly what was going on - mostly because it's starting to happen with Ava. I wanted those dolls because all … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, International Recipes, Meat, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Rice, Romania, Sandwiches/Wraps/Packets, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetables/Pulses

Recipe: Stuffed Grape Leaves | Warak Enab

October 18, 2012 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

Time and time again I've failed to entice Ava with stuffed grape leaves. I tried back when we cooked Armenia, when the grape leaves were laced with an intoxicating blend of cinnamon, allspice and currants and she was an innocent, unquestioning 8-month old. Let's just say she wasn't ready - neither for the somewhat chewy outer "skin," nor the mystery of what was inside. Little kids like to know what mom is feeding them. Not one to give up easily, I spent the last 3 years casually pushing them … [Read more...]