Global Table Adventure

Recipe: Midnight Mocha Rum Cake

August 30, 2012 By Sasha Martin 21 Comments

Let's talk about world peace for a second. Pretty much everyone I know agrees we need a big dollop of it to make the world a happier place, but not many people know what this world loaded up with peace would actually look like. Except for that one image of children holding hands. While the notion of all our children holding hands is a beautiful image, I can't help but wonder where all the adults are. Why is it always just children? Are we so jaded that we think they're the only ones who … [Read more...]

Filed Under: International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, North America, Panama, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweets, Vegetarian

Recipe: Frankincense Ice Cream

August 9, 2012 By Sasha Martin 19 Comments

I like a little mystery in the midst of routine. A drizzle of scented massage oil makes the evening fly by. A simple puff of incense fills every crevice of my home with glorious serenity. And of all possible aromas, Frankincense reigns supreme. Ever since I was a little girl, poised with wonder under the glittering Christmas tree, Frankincense has captivated me. My little brain could never quite grasp what on earth Frankincense was or why it was so special, but that didn't stop me from … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Asia, Christmas, Holidays, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Oman, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweets, Technique Thursday, Vegetarian

Recipe: Scandinavian Ring Cake | Kransekake

August 2, 2012 By Sasha Martin 12 Comments

When I woke up yesterday I had no intention of losing my wedding rings. In the morning I hugged Malky the cat and Ava, my daughter. In the afternoon, I did a silly dance with the curtains wide open, daring my neighbors to judge me. Around five o'clock I indulged in a green bottle of bubbly water while sitting by a glittering summer-filled window. I felt the heat (110F in the shade) radiate on my face and I smiled, happy to be inside. I fidgeted with my rings, as I often do whenever … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Celebrations, Europe, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Norway, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweets, Technique Thursday, Vegetarian

Recipe: Cardamom Caakiri

July 22, 2012 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

There are very few things that surprise me any more. A toddler falling apart five minutes past her bedtime? Predictable. Going twice as long between mowings in the 100F-mid-July-inferno? Guaranteed. Two things that do succeed at surprising me? The last season of Lost (no spoilers please!) and using couscous to make a tangy-sweet pudding. Yes. I'm considering eating caakiri while watching Lost to see if the surprises cancel each other out. It could happen. So. Let's back up a moment and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, International Recipes, Niger, Random Carbs & Grains, Sweets, Vegetarian

Recipe: Hokey Pokey Ice Cream

July 6, 2012 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

Hokey Pokey, it would seem, is not just a toddler's dance. Down Under, it's a beautiful, fluffy, yet crispy piece of confectionery delight enjoyed from New Zealand to England. Even Nigella Lawson loves a good nibble of this treat - straight out of a gift box, in the car - from time to time. Traditional recipes use golden syrup, but since I don't have any of that, I used honey which gave the hokey pokey the most incredible, buzz-worthy flavor and just about turned me into a honey bee. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fun Friday, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, New Zealand, Oceania, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweets, Vegetarian

Recipe: Pavlova with Summer Berries & Kiwifruit

July 5, 2012 By Sasha Martin 13 Comments

Summertime means running barefoot through sprinklers, nibbling fresh fruit, and shining your smile all the time, even when you're sleeping. It means laying your back, watching bubbles of clouds dot through the sky. And today we're eating one such cloud. Pavlova. Named after a Russian ballet dancer, this meringue "cake" takes center stage, topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit, like berries, kiwifruit, mango, or even passionfruit. Both New Zealand and Australia lay claim to inventing this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fruit, Independence Day, International Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, New Zealand, Oceania, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Technique Thursday, Vegetarian

Recipe: Dutch Sprinkles n’ Bread | Hagelslag (w/ poll)

June 29, 2012 By Sasha Martin 15 Comments

If you often crave a dougnut but wish it could come without the bellyache, come with me to the Netherlands for breakfast. The quickest way there is with hagelslag, or a "hailstorm" of sprinkles, on buttered bread (no need to toast it). While it sounds incredibly unhealthy, dutch sprinkles are high quality treats and there's even guidelines for what can be called hagelslag. Most are at least 35% cocoa with 100% cocoa butter (this means there are no weird fillers, like vegetable oil, as … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breads, Breakfast, Europe, Fun Friday, International Recipes, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Netherlands, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweets, Vegetarian

Recipe: Dutch Spice Cake on a Rope | Ontbijtkoek

June 28, 2012 By Sasha Martin 15 Comments

This spice cake creates so much joy, it should come with trumpets and streamers. Cake on a rope. So simple, and yet so brilliant. Every child will tell you: this is the stuff dreams are made of. All over the Netherlands, the Dutch nibble on swaying ropes of cake in honor of the Queen's birthday. No hands allowed. This wildly popular event is called a koekhappen. Weather permitting, many lucky children enjoy a koekhappen on their birthday as well. One of our readers, Sylvia, told me a bit … [Read more...]