Kosovo boldly proclaimed independence in 2008. Apparently the deal was highly contentious, but as you know… I’m not here for the politics. I’m here for the food. What does this mean? It means I’ll take any chance I can get to cook food from around the world. So, with that being said – welcome to Kosovo week at the Global Table. Let’s eat! If you weren’t paying close attention when you sat down, you might think you were in America during Thanksgiving. You’ll find a spread of pumpkin pie, meat and potatoes, and – speaking of meat – there’ll be meat, meat, and more meat. Even their traditional beef and rice stuffed peppers [recipe] show up in American cookbooks as “traditionally American.” Did I mention they like meat in Kosovo? While more than one country can certainly have similar traditional food, I find it fascinating that nearly all of southeast Europe shares the affinity for the stuffed pepper with America. (They also stuff eggplants and tomatoes). Then there’s the shopska salad which we made for Bosnia [recipe], …
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THE SCENE: My Happily Broken Heart A broken heart occurs when two hearts joined in love tear apart. It could happen slowly or quickly, but like a wishbone, something has to give. If it’s a clean break, it wasn’t love. At least, not for a long time. Sometimes both hearts have a tear, other times just one. Lots of times it feels like a piece was left behind, permanently affixed to the heart of the other. Keith has never broken my heart. Sure, we’ve had our disagreements but I’ve never once felt like he has pulled away enough to tear me up, to break my heart. Ava, however, broke my heart the day she was born. There she was, perfect, tiny and so wonderful. And there I was, completely awash with love. Overwhelming love. I wept as her tiny body struggled to take those first breaths of air. And then,there it was – she relaxed – her eyes darted around, taking in the light – she was with the world. That’s when the tears came full …
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While I don’t typically dive into steaming hot bowls of sweet pumpkin soup, I just might make an exception today. And, if I did, I just might use one of those rice balls as a floaty. No judgments, please. I just like pumpkin a whole lot. The unusual thing about this soup is not how sweet it is, or even the fact that there’s rice balls in it (that’s not much different than a dumpling) – it’s that there’s a scoop of sweet red beans lurking at the bottom of the bowl, waiting for the unsuspecting diner to slurp and nibble and glump. Glump? Sure. That’s exactly what sweet red beans are like. In the best possible way, of course. So, let’s take ourselves deep into the heart of Korea. Perhaps on the first snowfall, when freezing freckles of snow just barely stick to the ground. It’s the best time to saddle up to a bowl of sweet pumpkin soup. Recipe inspired by Aeri’s Kitchen. Serves 6 Ingredients: 5 cups of steamed pumpkin (from a 3-5 lb pumpkin) 5 …
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On chilly fall mornings I like to roll up in my thick downy comforter, cozy and warm. I know that the second I stick my nose out it’ll turn into an icicle, so I don’t. I keep it tucked and cozy. I would lay there for hours, if Ava would let me. I’m like a human burrito. Or … ahem… a human… omelet. You see, I like to think of this rolled omelet as an egg comforter. Even better? A heart-shaped egg comforter. Welcome to Cozy Town. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, I think everyone should have at least one heart-shaped egg comforter in life. So today I’m making yours. You can season the omelet with anything you like, but today we’re going totally Korean and making it with kimchi. Think of it as a spicy blast of embroidery for your omelet comforter. (This totally makes sense in my world.) Makes 1 Rolled omelet Ingredients: 6 eggs 2 Tbsp finely chopped kimchi sesame oil Method: Hitch a ride to the nearest farmer … … …
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Yesterday, during Ava’s nap, I planted 16 plants (15 of which were mums), cleaned out my bathroom cabinet, and painted my toenails. I worked up such an appetite, I finished off the rest of our Korean Sweet Pumpkin Porridge. By the end of it, the yard, my feet, and my belly were sparkling with happy color. I also got a couple of entries to our Gingerbread for Peace contest (check out the gallery and vote for your favorites). All in all, a pretty great day. Bottom line – some days just bloom. What sounds good to you? Rolled Egg Omelet with Kimchi (Gyeran mali) [recipe] This is not just any omelet. Nope. This is the mac daddy – a rolled omelet. Once you learn the technique you’ll be wondering why you didn’t think of it first. P.S. This particular rolled omelet is salty and shrimpy thanks to a spoonful of chopped kimchi. Sweet Pumpkin porridge with rice balls & red beans [recipe] Bite cold weather back with this sweet, warming porridge. The pumpkin is the …
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While I’m not a huge meat eater, I never met a burger I didn’t like. Especially if it has cheese on top. Case in point: I loved the Aussie Burger we made for our Australian Global Table. This bad boy was loaded up with a fried egg, pickled beets, and a large slice of ooey gooey cheddar. It was all good. Still… the very Shakespearean question is whether or not I would still like a burger if it was called something else… if a burger, like a rose, is just as sweet by any other name. Turns out, in North Korea, it is. In this chilly, isolated country lives a burger chain called “Samtaesong” where the burgers are not called burgers but instead dubbed “minced beef and bread.” (Thanks to reader Brian for pointing this New York Times article out, as well as his list of other North Korean restaurants – dog meat, anyone?). Customers line up to enjoy the minced beef and bread just as heartily as anyone else, despite the rather technical, straight-forward name. Would you? Of course, while …
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THE SCENE: My Wake Up Call I almost didn’t have anyone over for our South Korean Global Table. I was living in funk town and not sure I’d be great company. I tried to climb out of my shell – I went for a sunshiny walk and even put a smile on my face. “Fake it til you make it” says Joy the Baker. Sage advice. Still – I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: I’m a pretty shy gal. I like people and people like me, but I’m not very good at cultivating friendships – at making best friends. The last time I did it with any lasting success was in college. Something about being thrown into a stressful environment together practically guarantees lifelong friendship. To be honest, I don’t usually worry about it. I hang out with people now and then. We laugh. But at the end of the day, I spend most of my time with my wonderful husband and daughter. I go to bed happy. Last year, though, I had …
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Makes 1 quart Do you know a picky eater? Are you a picky eater? Even I have my moments… I’m here to warn you that kimchi is one of those dishes – a Mount Everest for some culinary Adventurers and a potential moon landing for our beloved but stubbornly picky eaters. Here’s why: Kimchi is fermented, pickled, fishy, spicy, and totally funky. It can take months and months to make, fermented in large vats with such delicacies as raw oysters or fish chunks. Astonishingly, the end result shouldn’t be overly fishy but mildly sweet and sometimes spicy, although there’s a little residual zing from the fermenting. Lest you run away in fear, let me assure you – two entire countries – North and South Korea – eat kimchi with giddy enthusiasm some people reserve for birthday cake… so I say go for it. Expand your mind. Buckle up. Enjoy the ride. This Kimchi recipe is quick and simple. It’ll get your feet wet in the world of fermented cabbage. The entire process takes no more than …
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This recipe is for those times when an airplane ticket isn’t in the budget… … When a two week’s vacation won’t fit into the schedule. … When the daydream only gets you halfway to the dream. Splash a little of this sauce in your frying pan – let it dance and sizzle and pop. Serve with bibimbap, if you dare! Welcome to Korea. Makes 3/4 cup Ingredients: 1/2 cup sesame oil soy sauce, to taste 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1 inch ginger, grated 1 green onion, chopped 2 Tbsp sugar 1/2 tsp black pepper salt, to taste Method: Are you ready? Don’t blink or you’ll miss it. Chop the ingredients, give them all a whisk and use as needed. Ta-dah! Enjoy – live the dream! Korean Saute Sauce & Marinade Votes: 0 Rating: 0 You: Rate this recipe! Print Recipe Splash a little of this sauce in your frying pan – let it dance and sizzle and pop. Serve with bibimbap, if you dare! Welcome to Korea. LifestyleGrilling, Quick Food TypeSauces & Dressings Servings Prep …
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Today is my late brother’s birthday – he would have been 34 and into who knows what kind of trouble. No joke. I like to think that, if he were here, he’d take a break from his ornery ways and we’d eat this sizzling Korean specialty together. As it cooked in front of us – at the table – we’d celebrate him with big bursts of goofy laughter. Bibimbap is perfect for celebrating superstars – like him. Like you. Sure, there are days when we don’t feel like superstars. When everything seems heavy and ordinary. But that’s when we can look around with fresh eyes – when we can find the sparkle on a mud puddle or see the sensual curves of a gnarly pumpkin. Or when we can make a beautiful meal out of plain, ol’ leftovers (the original purpose of bibimbap). Our endless capacity for optimism and creativity is what makes us superstars. All of us. We just need to tap into it. When was the last time someone told you that you’re a superstar? A bright …
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Oh, Ava, Ava, Ava. You seem so bored. So disinterested. When was the last time you got excited about something you ate? When was the last time you were 110% focused on the goodness about to go into your belly? When was the last time you unhinged your jaw to make room for delicious food? Oh, nevermind. Ava has the right attitude … it is time to bring a little enthusiasm to mealtime. Friends, open wide for South Korea. Kimchi is your passport to funky town and bibimbap just might change your life. It did mine. What sounds good to you?* Quick, Magical Kimchi [Recipe] Crunchy Napa cabbage goes Korean with a blend of shrimp paste, red chili flakes, ginger, garlic, and green onion. After a couple of days of fermentation, unlock the pungent condiment of choice in Korea. Superstar BiBimBap [Recipe] A party in a bowl – a sizzling hot stone bowl – filled with rice, whipped together with an assortment of banchan (veggie side dishes), egg, and topped with sweet, spicy chili paste. …
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Funny story. In a momentary lapse in brain power (I blame motherhood) … I … I … forgot the alphabet, so we’re doing South Korea before North Korea. Ahem. Maybe not so funny. But, either way, there it is. SO. South Korea. Say hello! Hello. There’s lots of information floating around about South Korea. This mountainous country located at the bottom of the Korean Peninsula is hot, humid, and happenin’. I personally know of seven people that have been to South Korea or are natives. Anthony Bourdain even went there in a particularly entertaining episode of No Reservations. The most distinct characteristic of Korean cooking is how much of it happens at the table. Seriously sizzling fun. For example, there’s Korean hot pot, where a simmering vat of broth is utilized, fondue style, to cook tidbits of deliciousness. Thinly sliced meat can also be grilled at the table before going into lettuce wraps or on top of rice. And there’s bibimbap [Recipe] – a traditional rice and veggie dish (often with meat or fish) that can be assembled …
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