Global Table Adventure

Recipe: Natural Grape & Walnut Candy (Churchkhela from the Caucasus)

April 21, 2011 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

Makes 1 string, as pictured Meet our adaptation of Churchkhela, the dangly natural candy from the Caucasus. Audrey, from Uncornered Market, informs me that this typically sausage shaped treat is nicknamed the "Georgian Snickers." Nice! Unlike a Snickers bar, however, we use only three ingredients, none of which are sugar. Long strands of Churchkhela can be found all over the caucasus, generally with extra thick outer layers of dried grape syrup (they call this tatara). Our version is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Fruit, Georgia, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Mango and Ginger Cream Parfaits

April 14, 2011 By Sasha Martin 18 Comments

Serves 8 (really this depends on the size of your mangoes) What would you make if you had milk and ginger root, but no refrigeration? What if you had mangoes but no ice cream machine or blender? You'd use up that milk as fast as possible - whip it up into a ginger custard and toss it with stewed mangoes! This is a high class treat in The Gambia, where real milk is far less common than imported powdered milk. As for the parfait glasses? Totally a Sasha-spin. Feel free to just dollop … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Fruit, Gambia (The), Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegetarian

Recipe: Starfruit Curd with Tropical Fruit

April 10, 2011 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

Makes about 1 1/4 cups of curd Read this recipe at your own peril. Inspired by the bountiful tropical fruit of Gabon, you'll be inevitably faced with a choice. Spend an extravagant $12 dollars on 2 star fruit to make this simple treat, or live a life untouched by the smiles this dessert could bestow upon you. While Gabon certainly grows mangoes, bananas and starfruit - and most likely serves up a great fruit curd in the capital (they were a French colony after all) - this particular recipe is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Fruit, Gabon, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetarian

Recipe: Grapefruit and Ginger Tart

April 3, 2011 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

Celebrate late winter with this French-inspired, bright citrus tart, featuring grapefruit and ginger flavored pastry cream on top of a spicy gingersnap crust. The candied ginger garnish is the exclamation point to this perky citrus dessert. I created this dessert for a contest on Food52. The flavor was so good - tart and sweet and gingery - I thought I'd share it with you here, during French week. I came up with this happy combination while playing around with a classic French citrus tart … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, France, Fruit, International Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweets, Vegetarian

Recipe: Polynesian Coconut Bananas

March 20, 2011 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

Serves 4 People all over Polynesia eat this rich, sweet dessert. It's uber simple to throw together - just take care to not overcook the bananas, lest they become mushy. Mushy is a big time banana fail. I never met anyone who loved mushy bananas. Do you? TIP: This amount of coconut milk can easily cook more bananas - perhaps up to 8 small red bananas. I only needed 4 for our small family though. Ingredients: 4 small red bananas or 2 regular bananas 1/4 tsp salt (or just a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fiji, Fruit, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Oceania, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb & Cream Tart – Estonia

March 3, 2011 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

Want a bite of Estonian springtime? Go for rhubarb, the most beloved, cold-climate vegetable around. It looks like celery with lipstick, but tastes fruity and tart. Elizabeth Schneider explains the special place rhubarb has in countries like Estonia: Imagine that you've spent the winter eating fruits and vegetables rationed from a root cellar and canning jars. Now imagine the first rosy rhubarb of the year, welcome as new grass. Not so long ago, rhubarb held a special place in the culinary … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Estonia, Europe, Fruit, International Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweets, Technique Thursday, Vegetarian Tagged With: Maasikas Rabarber ja koor hapukas

Recipe: Apple Empanadas

January 27, 2011 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

Sweet, cinnamon-loaded apple empanadas are perfect for popping at parties. Popular throughout south and central america, these tidbits will be gone before you can put the tray down. Try serving warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of dulce de leche. Makes 4 dozen 3 1/2" empanadas Ingredients: 2 batches of empanada dough For the filling: 4 cups peeled, chopped apples (about 3 medium apples) 1/2 cup sugar 1/8-1/4 cup raisins 1 tsp cinnamon 4 Tbsp butter 1 Tbsp … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breakfast, Ecuador, Finger Food, Fruit, International Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, South America, Sweets, Vegetarian

Recipe: Grapefruit & Avocado Smoothie

January 9, 2011 By Sasha Martin 2 Comments

Makes a quart Want a smoothie, but tired of all the "normal" options? Try this Domincan treat - a tantalizing blend of grapefruit juice and creamy avocado. The "ice" green color will have you cooled off in no time. (Thanks to the Facebook Fans who voted in this recipe) Ingredients: 3 avocados 2 1/2 cups grapefruit juice 1/2 cup sugar water (or extra grapefruit juice) for thinning to desired consistency Method: Take yourself to that special place, where the sun is shiny … [Read more...]