All posts filed under: Menus

Menu: Iceland

Good things are all around me. Yesterday I celebrated my third wedding anniversary with Keith. On Friday my brother Keith is coming to visit us all the way from Florida. (We haven’t seen him in a year and a half. We miss him.) But, lest you think it’s all about the many Keiths in my life, Monday is Ava’s 2nd birthday. That’s pretty great, too. Not to mention I’ll be sharing Icelandic treats with you all week. Given the heatwave we’ve been enduring, I’ve put together a summertime sampler… except for the hot and hearty Rye Bread Soup. I dedicate that recipe to our friends in the Southern hemisphere, where a sweet, hot bowl of rye bread soup might be just the ticket. What sounds good to you? Rhubarb “Raisins” [recipe] A simple and ingenious way to use up rhubarb in baked goods. Rye Bread Soup [recipe] The hot answer to Iceland’s sweet tooth. This unusual soup is loaded up with raisins and sugar. And, of course, rye bread. Blueberry Cardamom Ice Cream [recipe] Cream. …

Menu: Hungary

Ava calls my mom Grammie Sue, but it really comes out more like “miss you,” which is exactly how we’re feeling today. Living far from my family was okay when I was single, but became excruciating once Ava was born. It’s like Keith and I have a home filled with starlight and each day she glows and smiles and spreads joy all over the place. Not being able to share that on a regular basis feels like a crime. After a completely lovely visit, Mom flew back to Boston in the “ahww-pwane,” as Ava calls it. We’re all sad to see her go, but the memories of this happy meal – straight from our Hungarian heritage – will keep us until the next time. What would you like to try? Chilled Cherry Soup [recipe] Traditionally served as an appetizer in Hungary, Chilled Cherry Soup is tart, slightly sweet, and rounded out with earthy cinnamon and the slightest hint of red wine. Chicken Paprika [recipe] Chicken stewed with loads of paprika, chopped onion and finished off …

Menu: Haiti & Honduras

Hi friends. I have something to tell you. There were some questions yesterday about why I was combining Haiti and Honduras this week. I told you it was because I was building in sick time and vacation. That’s true. What is also true is that my mom is coming this weekend, all the way from Boston. She’d like to help with our Hungarian menu. I’d like her to help with our Hungarian menu. It’s our heritage. Hungary runs through our veins. We’re also hungry all the time, but that’s a story for another day. The problem? Mom accidentally booked her flight a week too soon – thus, I had to double up Haiti and Honduras to make her dream come true. Either that or pay hundreds of dollars to rebook her flight. She hasn’t seen Miss Ava since last August (!!), so we’re very excited for her visit. So there you have it. The whole truth. Doesn’t that feel good? Meanwhile, let’s dabble in our happy little menu for Haiti and Honduras. First off, just look …

Menu: Guyana

I like to live in the moment. Fly free. Laugh. Dance. Cry. Do you ever find yourself doing something fun, like chatting with a friend, instead of the work you’re supposed to be doing? I do. I love it. I look forward to it. And why not? I get to have fun and then proceed to do my work twice as fast. When I’m talking to my friend, I don’t worry about the work. It’ll be there. It’s time will come. No, I’d rather live in the moment. It’s sweet bliss. As long as I meet my deadlines, no harm done. Just tonight I was chatting with a friend for hours, instead of doing my work. It was worth it. I got and gave countless life lessons. I laughed. I cried. Now, I’m home, eyes burning and overheated, wearing the humidity like a blanket. I’m hungry. I need to cool off. No problem. Well, actually, there’s one problem: I don’t want to cook in an already hot house. Luckily our Guyanese menu is a mostly heat-free menu. …

Menu: Guinea & Guinea Bissau

Have you ever felt pulled in two directions? Unsure of which way to go? Sometimes the best medicine is to find a happy medium, to go both places. Have double the fun. Case in point – this week we have one foot in Guinea and one foot in Guinea Bissau. For the most part this menu could be found in either country – except where noted. Double the fun, indeed. What sounds good to you? Yucca Fries [Recipe] Crispy, salty and healthier than French Fries. Popular all over sub-Saharan Africa. Jollof (West African Rice with Veggies) [Recipe] A simple, healthy combination of rice, spices, tomatoes, cabbage, and peas. Naturally vegan. Portuguese Cinnamon Cookies (Raivas) [Recipe] This recipe is a nod to Guinea-Bissau’s Portuguese heritage. When I read the city bakeries are full of Portuguese treats, I just knew I had to try this doughy bread-like “cookie.” Papaya & Orange Peel Chutney [Recipe] What do you get when you don’t want to mess with high tech canning? You trade the word jam for chutney. The mix is …

Menu: Guatemala

Hello and welcome to our Guatemalan menu, a welcome distraction from the storms that plagued the midwest last night (a.k.a. where I live). Tornado season reminds me, yet again, that I’m a stress eater. Big time. Last night, as the winds whipped and the hail fell, my appetite went through the roof. I may or may not have eaten 9.5 fresh corn tortillas and 139 mugs of hot cocoa, but who’s counting…? Let’s just say I’m still extremely full. The good news? Our Guatemalan menu is great for stress eaters. It’s at once comforting and indulgent. Trust me – I’ve put it to the test. This week I received expert advice from Audrey and Dan over at Uncornered Market. I like them. They travel the world for a living. And they made Pepian in Guatemala. What sounds good to you? Pepian Sauce for Stewed Chicken or Veggies [Recipe] Remarkably like mole, pepian is made with toasted pumpkin and sesame seeds, tomatillos, tomatoes, cinnamon, and dried chili peppers. While not spicy, the flavor is deep and …

Menu: Grenada

Say hello to our menu, inspired by Grenada’s sandy beaches and lively seaside parties. While I’ve wished (over and over again) that Oklahoma had a shoreline, the best thing I can do for now is to have beach parties without the beach. I know it’s a stretch but, if it’s particularly windy, the Oklahoma wind almost sounds like the ocean… and then I don’t miss Cape Cod and Boston nearly so much. If you haven’t already guessed, let me just say – we do a lot of imagining in our house. Case in point: we read Ava about ten books a day. This latest book we picked up, called Thank You, World, is a brilliant way to dream about how things are done in other lands. In the picture above we’re looking at the ways kids sleep around the world; she’s pointing out the child happily crashed out in a hammock. Adorable. Vegan Oil Down with Yucca [Recipe] Oil Down can be made with breadfruit or yucca – our recipe uses the latter, the very ingredient I swore off months …

Menu: Greece

This weekend was wonderful for three reasons. 1) I had the joy of being with my sweet daughter and husband for Mother’s Day. We went to the immaculate gardens at the Philbrook Museum and pretended to be 18th century royalty. Also, Keith made me French Toast and did the dishes. And took me to dinner. And had my knives sharpened. And got a pedicure… with me. It was pretty epic, as far as Mother’s Days go. 2) I got my first hair cut in over a year. Maybe in two years… I’m not sure. While I hated it at first, I’ve grown to love the fact that my neck is no longer covered by a ratty pony tail. 3) We reached Greece on this crazy world-food Adventure. I remember when I started this blog 1.25 years ago, how far away that seemed. Well, here we are, more than 1/3 of the way through the countries, with a menu I’d eat every week if I could. Spanakopita [Recipe] Spinach and feta cheese wrapped in lightly buttered phyllo dough. …

Menu: Ghana

I’m starting to think my closet will never be cleansed of my wooly, winter-wear. Sure, the sun is trickling down through the leaves, but the heater is on full blast. The last few days have dipped into the thirties overnight. Sunday afternoon we even brought my sad lemon tree back inside, straining to pull the giant bushy tree back over the threshold to prevent more leaves from dropping 0r, worse, yet, to avoid losing the baby lemons. Even my once-happy tomato plants are complaining of frost damage. To think – just last month it was 93F. What can I say. That’s Oklahoma weather for ya. The good news is our Ghanaian menu is great for all weather conditions. Indeed, many Africans eat spicy, hot food, even in the summer. The logic? Spices and warm food in hot weather induces heavy sweating; when your forehead breaks out into a sweat, the droplets catch a breeze and cool you down. Brilliant. Of course, it helps that many Ghanaians cook in outdoor kitchens. What sounds good to you? Red …

Menu: Germany

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed at the thought of spring cleaning, try making these recipes, especially the beer and cake. Good luck. If you’re as clumsy as a frog, as I am, you’ll be cleaning up half-fermented beer splatters and chocolate drips for days. Squeak, shluck, squeak, shluck. That’s the sound of my sneakers on sticky tiles. Shudder. Of course, the final result allows you to eat and drink your sorrows away, so there’s that. Or you could just not be clumsy in the first place. Your choice. Mini Beef Rouladen [Recipe] Thin strips of beef spread with spicy mustard and rolled up around diced onions, bacon, and a piece of pickle. Served in a red wine gravy. Eastern European Red Cabbage [Recipe] The easy, ever popular cabbage dish – simply slice and cook with a bit of vinegar, sugar, and water. The bay leaf is for good luck. How to homebrew: German Altbier (Beer) [Recipe] This isn’t so much a recipe as a photo journal of my first attempt at brewing beer with ingredients …

Menu: Georgia

Hello Georgia. I’m sick, but I feel better when I see your food. Three cheers to that! NOTE: The first three recipes are adapted from Laura Kelley‘s book The Silk Road Gourmet: Volume One: Western and Southern Asia. Her book is full of great history and an entire chapter of Georgian recipes for any who are interested. Georgian Grilled Chicken [Recipe] Bone-in chicken marinated in a combination of khemeli-suneli, peanut oil, and lemon juice. The secret? Extra long marination to make the flavors scream. I’m a fan of screaming food (so says the girl who likes a little salad with her vinegar). Georgian 5 spice (Khmeli-Suneli) [Recipe] There are as many variations of this spice blend as there are grandma’s in Georgia. Our version is made with coriander, savory, dill, fenugreek, and bay leaves. Our bonus spice is pepper. Walnut Cilantro Sauce (Garo) [Recipe] This slightly bitter, grassy sauce is a popular condiment, like ketchup in America. Not only is it served over meats and vegetables, it can also be spread on a slice of toast …

Menu: The Gambia

Can anyone look at these babies and not smile? I mean, really. I love, love, love the joy pouring out of their faces. This picture could be used to replace depression medicine. And I just know it can help you do your taxes. That’s right. For anyone in the USA who has yet to file their taxes, take a moment to look at these babies, absorb the joy and peace. You’ll be calmer, nicer, and your brain won’t feel as much like scrambled jelly over the next 72 hours. That has to count for something. Our Gambian menu features a special burst of fresh and local flavor – the spinach and green onions came from the very first day of the Cherry Street Farmer’s Market in Tulsa. Nothing like opening day at a farmer’s market, when all the goodies are vibrant, plump, and just waiting to be snapped, popped, and nibbled. I simply shut my eyes and imagined I was in Gambia. The temperature was about right – over 90 degrees. West African Spinach with Groundnuts …