Martin cooked the world within her kitchen.
Sasha Martin, a culinary explorer and adventurer, has recently published her memoir, "Life From Scratch". The book, published by a popular website, chronicles Martin's journey of making peace with her past and introducing her daughter to the rich tapestry of global cultures through food.
Growing up in Boston, Martin's life took an unexpected turn when she was separated from her mother at the tender age of 10. This separation left a lasting impact on Martin, shaping her perspective and inspiring her to seek solace and understanding through the kitchen. Her mother, who taught her to use the kitchen as a means to see beyond their circumstances, instilled in Martin a deep appreciation for food as a bridge that connects people and cultures.
Martin's culinary adventure began in earnest with the discovery of "The World Cookbook for Students", a resource that offered recipes and culinary introductions for every country in the world. With this book in hand, Martin embarked on a mission to help her daughter feel a sense of belonging in the world and to introduce her to global neighbours.
One of the highlights of Martin's journey was the discovery of an orange-and-coconut bundt cake from Micronesia. Martin verified the authenticity of this unique recipe through a restaurant in the islands, adding a taste of the distant islands to her growing repertoire of global dishes.
Martin's philosophy with international food has evolved over time, and she now focuses on making meals that are approachable and friendly for a weeknight. Her favourite recipe from her cooking the world project is an acorn squash salad based on a recipe from Argentine chef Francis Mallmann.
In her memoir, Martin documents her search for her mother and shares 29 recipes that have played a significant role in her life. To validate the authenticity of these recipes, Martin emailed locals or people who were in a country through the Peace Corps or as an expat. One such discovery led her to a local African market, a mile and a half away from her house, while cooking Algeria.
Martin's cooking of the world project made her less rigid in terms of how to use ingredients and showed her that cinnamon is not just for dessert and apple pie, it's for rice. This discovery, among many others, has broadened her culinary horizons and deepened her appreciation for the diverse flavours of the world.
Martin's memoir, "Life From Scratch", is not just a collection of recipes, but a poignant account of her attempt to find a sense of home and belonging through cooking and food exploration. It is a testament to the power of food as a means to connect, heal, and understand the world around us.
Leslie Trew Magraw, editor/producer for the Intelligent Travel blog network at the website, has played a significant role in bringing Martin's story to life. Connect with her on Twitter and Instagram @leslietrew to learn more about Martin's memoir and her ongoing global table adventure, which has seen her travel to over 150 countries so far.
Martin believes that food is a great way to create common ground and bridge cultural differences. Even simple meals like pasta or rice can serve as a catalyst for conversations about global neighbours and shared experiences. Martin's daughter still asks about the country they are eating, allowing them to bring in their global neighbours to their dinner conversation.
Through her memoir and her ongoing project, Sasha Martin continues to inspire us with her love for food, her zest for adventure, and her unwavering belief in the power of food to heal, connect, and bring us closer together.
