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05/15/2013 01:06 AM

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Refreshing Cucumber-Mint Julep: Mom's Persian Sekanjamin

Looking at me, you wouldn't know it, but I actually love eating things like Macho Nachos. Terrible, I know, but I'll be the first to admit I'm a sucker for marketing traps and the name got me. Maybe it's the record heat we've been having here in Southern California, frying my brain. Summer came early this year and I've been dreaming about the past and picnics we us

Just for Foodies

05/08/2013 08:06 PM

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Kahlua STUFFED Cocoa Bundt Cake

If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. ~ Isaac Newton Why reinvent the wheel? There are so many recipes flying across the net these days, it's dizzying. You ever wonder where they really come from? How many magical cake recipes could humans possibly create? The basics remain the same and the tried & true recipes are always the best

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05/02/2013 06:57 PM

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Russian Farmer's Cheese Pancakes: The KGB Exposed!

This recipe was guarded by the Russian secret police and reserved exclusively for top-level KGB officials. Today is your lucky day. I'm risking life & limb and, more importantly, my parents' lives here. But you're well worth it. Official code name for this delight is syrniki. Dad made some for us

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04/17/2013 01:36 PM

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Blue Crab Tortilla "Cupcakes:" Cookbook GIVE-A-WAY!!

Huevos Rancheros always remind me of a cool cowboy, crossed wrists resting on the horn of his saddle, guiding his herd across a gorgeous valley. Cowboys need a big, hearty breakfast to get them through the day. Well, we're not all cowboys. Many of us spend Ordinary Tuesday sitting in front of the computer, not burning a lot of calories.

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04/15/2013 04:20 PM

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Thanks for the Liebster Award Award!

A big DANKE goes to Jessica @ Jessica the Baker for nominating my blog for the hip-cool Liebster Award. I ’m floored you chose my blog! What is a Liebster Award? The Liebster Award is an award given to rising bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The word Liebster is German for dearest, sweetest, cutest, etc etc etc. It's a great way to sp

Just for Foodies

04/10/2013 07:08 PM

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Étouffée & Herb Rice: Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!

Isn't étouffée fun to say? So much is packed into one li'l word. It always reminds me of New Orleans. It was 1989, the summer before I started college. My parents took us there for a week-long vacation and we had a blast. The locals were charming & hospitable. The food? Phenomenal. After all these years, certain visions still bounce around in my head and m

Just for Foodies

04/02/2013 07:58 PM

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Lucky Girl: One big step toward a Happy Future

You are the reason I'm sharing my story. I want you to take care of yourself. Breast cancer is not a death sentence! Of course, I didn't know this when I got the call from my doctor. It was a Sunday afternoon and I was on my way to my parents' house, Daisy in the backseat. "Are you driving?" she asked. "Pull over." She told me the resu

Just for Foodies

03/26/2013 06:42 PM

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Butter your Bundt: Cara~Cara Cake

The rockstar lifestyle isn't as glamorous as you'd think. It's almost 11pm and I just took another cake out of the oven. Two in one night. That's got to be a record somewhere. Well, it all started earlier this morning. We were in the kitchen, as usual, having a lazy breakfast of coffee, toast, flipping through a magazine, chit-chat, spying on by-passers, just

Just for Foodies

03/20/2013 06:13 PM

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Cold Winter's Night: Cheat's Apple Cake

The wind is howling and I can hear the leaves rustling in the tree outside my window. A warm slice of Mom's apple cake, fresh out of the oven would be so so good. Then reality hits. It's almost 1am and I'm wide awake. The house is quiet and Daisy's sleeping peacefully next to me. Shawn's out cold on the couch with Milou, not watching the last few minutes of Duck Dynasty

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03/08/2013 06:03 AM

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Homegrown: Herbed Feta & Fresh Tomato Pasta

Some things are good by themselves, but great when in pairs. Cheese & Pasta. Sundays & Gigi. Pearls & Diamonds. Daisy & me. After spending the entire day together, I miss her as soon as she falls asleep. Can you believe that? She's my li'l buddy. Daisy loves spending time outside with Shawn. He's got a wonderful veggie garden started in our

Just for Foodies

02/06/2013 10:48 PM

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Berry Pavlova Sponge Cake & GIVEAWAY winner announced!!

It's time to announce our etsy.com gift card winner! Thanks to all of you who participated. I enjoyed hearing what everyone loves to have as his/her birthday cake. I let Daisy pick names out of a bowl this time . You know she's objective - she can't read yet - aaaaaannd the lucky winner iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis........... Choc Chip Uru of gobakeyourself.w

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01/22/2013 04:10 PM

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Orange Sweetness: Who Dunnit?

I'm on a very serious shake-down and even you look a bit suspicious. My fav vintage-looking Campbells-Soup-Kids t-shirt is missing. The washer and dryer are prime suspects, but they're not talking. Last seen: In the kitchen, baking a cake. It was time for the glaze. Out came the big box of powdered sugar and, before my brain could stop my hands... *ploompf!* Powdered

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01/15/2013 05:17 PM

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Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Pots de Creme

Happy 2013 to you! Yes, I know what day it is, but I'm still celebrating, ok? I've been meaning to tell you something for weeks, but have been busy, busy, busy.....you know, with stuff, like, eating leftover pumpkin pie. (It freezes great.) Everyone lets loose during the holidays and indulges for a change. I love giving homemade gifts, especially when this happens... …feels

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12/31/2012 04:47 PM

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Sweet Dreams : Peppermint Mocha Cake

Most people will tell you that they can't sleep at night because their teenage daughter racked up a $300-cell phone bill with 9,634 texts.* But, me? I'm a whole different critter. Cake is what keeps me up, folks. Last night, I baked a quick li'l number to take to the office. Damn thing looked so tempting that, despite the tiramisu in the fridge, Shawn was an itsy bi

Just for Foodies

12/19/2012 08:25 PM

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Baby Bundt in a Tux: Orange Cake Iced Twice

Don’t you think smaller is cuter? There was this li'l whimper around 2:30 this morning. *B-ling!* My eyes popped open and I jumped out of bed, ready to rescue Daisy from whatever nightmare she'd been having. Luckily, she fell asleep again. But now, I couldn't sleep. THEN, I heard this other strange noise...this time, a grrrumbling sound. Sounded a bit like Milou growling at a ra

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12/10/2012 04:08 PM

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GIVEAWAY Winner Announced!

Many thanks to all who generously donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. You are the reason the holidays are a wonderful time of year. Our lucky winner is the lovely Ms. Pragna Shah! We hope this turkey will always see your holiday table surrounded by warm, smiling faces. Happy holidays, love! xoxo Colette ***********************************************************************

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11/30/2012 08:31 PM

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Home, Sweet Home: Aussie Holiday Recap

Is it bad to eat a candy bar for breakfast? Not if it's a CHERRY RIPE . Coconut + Cherries + Chocolate = YUM Don't worry - the banana chaser undid all the damage. Look, it's in the books. I know what I'm talking about here. 3 weeks ago, we were just getting ready for our vacation. I have a tendency to over-pack, especially now that we have Daisy.

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11/15/2012 05:37 PM

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Giveaway winner announced! Hello from Australia

Hello from Australia! Sorry I haven't posted for a while. We have another week of vacation left. Been having a blast stuffing our faces with delicious chocolates, feeding kangeroos, walking on the warm sand, seeing baby pandas, petting koalas. Just wanted to drop in a quick li'l note to announce our Trader Joe's gift card giveaway WINNER! The lucky duck is...... Raelena of

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11/02/2012 04:43 PM

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Movie Night: Chocolaty Oreo Owls & a GIVEAWAY!

Autumn is such an old-timey time of year. It's when school starts (at least when I was in school) and Mom takes you clothes-shopping so you don't look like a hobo wearing last-year's bad plaid. Fall is my favourite, maybe because my birthday's coming up. Maybe it's just the anticipation of the winter holidays. You can almost smell the falling leaves, especially early in the mornin

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10/22/2012 07:17 PM

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Small-town Charm: Chili Crimini Corn Chowder

Why doesn't that clock ever slow down? Maybe it's just your rockstar lifestyle. Maybe you're taking on too much. Or, it's just life in the big city. But, in a small town, time stands still and suddenly the same 24-hours seem more generous. La Grange is that kind of place. Beautiful farmland as far as the eye can s

Just for Foodies

09/28/2012 01:13 PM

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Taste of Fall: Saffron-Infused Biryani

Admission is the first step to recovery. It's quite possible that I'm an Indian trapped in an Armenian woman's body. If Mom is cooking, I admit I could easily eat to death. She’s a master at inventive rice dishes. What she calls cleaning out the fridge, I call sheer genius. Biryani is one of those dishes, a different flavour bursts with every bite.

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09/25/2012 04:56 PM

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Coconut Rose Pistachio Truffles

Now that we have Daisy, I'm even more motivated to recycle and save the planet. But, I'm nowhere near the nouveau-bohemian tree-hugger type. I'd just like to do my part to leave a good place behind for my child. Doesn't everyone? Soon, we'll be charged for plastic bags at the supermarket. We've been using grocery bags as trash bags for years. Now, we'll use enviro-friendly reusabl

Just for Foodies

09/20/2012 05:38 PM

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Beat the Heat: No-bake Berry Tiramisu

When are berries truly happy? Nestled into a whipped cream cloud atop spongy ladyfingers doused in coffee & rum isn't a bad gig, is it? Yet, not everyone's that happy. Californians, for instance, love to whine, especially about the weather. I know, it doesn't make sense. In fact, it's ironic, considering we've got the best climate in the natio

Just for Foodies

09/20/2012 04:06 PM

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Pesto Bread Lasagna

2012 is the Year of Adventure. And every day should be a celebration. Daydreaming about something fun for dinner brought me to a cool concept. Pasta & bread are close cousins. So, how about a lasagne with bread, instead of the usual noodles? Make your own fresh pesto. Blitz in the food processor in no time. Omit the nuts for a more refreshing sauce. Mushroom Pes

Just for Foodies

09/20/2012 04:06 PM

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Vichyssoise - Cozy Roasted Potato Leek Soup

Rainy nights are meant for staying in and being lazy with your sweetheart. It's been a busy work day and the clouds are forming. Soon, the rain drops are tapping on the kitchen window. But, what to do when the grumbles call for dinner? Send them packing with a comforting bowl of potato-leek soup. The oven does double-duty and saves time. Here's how...

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09/20/2012 04:05 PM

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Vanishing Act: Lemon YO Cake

Vanishing Act Disappearing Before Its Debut! My parents (aka the Flintstones) are voracious espresso drinkers. Averaging at least 5 double espressos EACH every day. Well, Shawn was out of town for work and they were going to stay overnight to protect Daisy & me from monsters under the bed. Mom & Dad are known to wake up several in the night and sneak off to

Just for Foodies

09/20/2012 04:05 PM

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Vanilla & Brown Sugar: What's Your Poison?

My sister Nathalie & I often joke about how our folks survive just on air, espresso & pastries. Are they cyborgs? Don't they need real food? Well, as a new mother, I now realize I've been compensating for the lack of sleep by slowly upping my caffeine intake. It's in my genes, after all. Thankfully, the FDA hasn't deemed caffeine an illegal drug, otherwise I'd be in big troubl

Just for Foodies

09/20/2012 04:02 PM

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Birthday Baklava!

Birthday Baklava, Two Ways! For our Daisy's first birthday, we did everything to plan the perfect garden party. Shawn worked tirelessly to make our yard gorgeous. The fresh new lawn, the beautiful fruit trees. He even built new steps and a path. Aunt Nathalie made the party favours and even included homemade playdo! The cake took center stage. Aunt Silva had made

Just for Foodies

09/20/2012 03:41 PM

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An American Classic: Hummingbird Nectar

Would YOU dive off of a perfectly good cliff? That's what goes through your mind when you're Mrs to an Aussie hang glider pilot. When I first met Shawn, a good story was usually guaranteed on Monday morning. This one time, he'd been out flying near a lake on a sunny Saturday. Puffy clouds floating by...crisp, fresh air in his face...when somethi

Just for Foodies

09/20/2012 03:39 PM

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A Thousand Arabian Nights: Pom-glazed Kibbeh

Dreams of a thousand Arabian nights come to mind whenever I crave kibbeh. A must in the mideastern kitchen, it's my dad's favourite. His grandmother used to make it. I'll make it for him just to hear a story about his childhood. Kibbeh is most commonly found in the form of li'l bulghur footballs stuffed with seasoned ground meat and toasty pine nuts. Exotic foods are often difficu

Just for Foodies

09/20/2012 03:37 PM

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No Invitation Required: Mom's Apple Cake

When we first moved to America, we lived in a small, 2-bedroom house....all 7 of us! It was a very busy li'l household that we called "Hotel California," because we always had relatives staying with us. The backyard was tiny, but we didn't care, because Dad got us a plastic pool and that's all we needed to splash around on hot summer days. Sundays were for family. Everyone would

Just for Foodies

09/20/2012 03:34 PM

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Jammie Independence Cakelets

Armenians love to celebrate and any excuse to have a party is a good one. So, now that July 4th is looming, I'm anxious to celebrate being free. Never take freedom for granted. Try to enjoy the li'l moments of happiness in each day. And, if you can't find one, bake it! Yes, yes, I know, bikini season is coming and you're trying to keep that waistline in check. So, don't bake

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09/20/2012 03:31 PM

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Too Hot to Bake: Coconut Choco-Chip Cookie Dough

My parents moved us into a cramped 2-bedroom apartment, all 5 of us. And, I couldn't be happier. They'd just sold our first house and were waiting for escrow to close on our new one. Mom didn't usually let us have junk food. EVERYone knows Oreos stunt your growth. That explains my mammoth height. Hey...5'6" is tall for an Armenian girl, ya know? Despite living in a shoebox,

Just for Foodies

09/20/2012 03:30 PM

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Exotique Spice Mixes

The Flintstones, as we call them (aka Mom & Dad) Mom's hands are magic. Everyone knows it. Grandma's, too. There's something so comforting about homecookin'. It's how affection is expressed in our family. It all began with a phone call to Mom.... "Hi, Ma. Can you please tell me how to make garmeer pilaf?" "Oh, sure, it's very easy," she began. Then, as she we

Just for Foodies

09/20/2012 03:30 PM

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Chocolate & Orange: A Birthday Cake

They call him "The Mayor." He knows everyone and everyone loves him. Always happy to see you, he's the kindest soul you'll ever meet. I'm just lucky to call him Dad. When I was a little girl, Dad would pick me up from school and we'd go have lunch together. He held my hand as we ran to the pizza place on the corner across fro

Just for Foodies

09/20/2012 03:29 PM

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DIY Sugar Cubes and the Secret to Saffron

"Let's retire to the lounge" sounds best when Shawn says it. After a long day trapped in a cubicle, there's nothing more I look forward to. I settle into my fav cushy chair and snuggle Daisy. Shawn's on the couch with our pup Milou and Big Bang's splashed across the TV screen. Life couldn't be better. Or...could it? That's when the demons appear. I hear whispers

Just for Foodies

09/20/2012 03:29 PM

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Armenian Tupperware

Many years ago, when I was a little girl, my school had a film day. We were herded to the auditorium and treated to a movie. Thrilled to be out of the classroom, we couldn't wait for that screen to light up. Was it going to be Tom & Jerry? Oh, that would be too cool! Or Popeye? He's my hero! Static on the screen and the sound of an ancient film proj

Just for Foodies

09/20/2012 03:28 PM

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Chocolate Daisy Cupcakes: A GIVEAWAY!

I don't trust people who don't like chocolate. Is that wrong? This is my first not-from-scratch batch and I'm feeling guilty. I didn't have a lot of time and my neighbour's kids wanted chocolate cupcakes. I decided they did. Ok, YES, I was looking for an excuse to bake. But, everyone knows that sharing makes eating sweets less fattening. It

Just for Foodies

09/20/2012 03:24 PM

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Minty Chocolaty Cheesecake & Fairwell Wishes

My coworker friend, Daphne recently traded her career for her kids. As a new mom, I really admire her for making that sacrifice. But what to get her? She deserved something wickedly luxurious... A-HAH! A very minty, very chocolaty cool, creamy cheesecake would do. YOU, however, don't have to wait for such a big event. Isn't Tuesday reason enough? Filling: 3 eggs

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09/20/2012 03:22 PM

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Diet is a Dirty Word: Aromatic Quinoa Salad

By definition, a foodie should never go on a diet. It's against our religion. We worship food, after all. We don't give money to Jenny Craig. She's wealthy enough. Those funds are reserved for a better cause....shoes, handbags, chocolate. And anything "Low Fat" or "High Fiber" is sheer sacrilege. But bikini season is looming and I'm wishing I cast a Sophia-Loren sha

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09/20/2012 03:20 PM

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Mom's Curried Chicken & Broccoli

Mom's chicken & broccoli

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09/20/2012 03:14 PM

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Buzzed Bees: Mom's Fig Preserve

My husband's had it in for the old fig tree at the back of our yard since we moved in. The late summer sun ripens the figs faster than we can pick them. Oozing with red sap, they hit the ground where the sugar turns to alcohol and calls in the bees. After a feeding frenzy, they get so sloshed that they fall over and lie, wriggling their li'l feet up in the

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09/20/2012 03:12 PM

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Maharajah's Delight - Fragrant Coconut Almond Cardamom Cake

Don't call the cops. I haven't been abducted by aliens. Just been busy. We recently had our baby's teething party, a timeless Armenian tradition called adama-hadig. Not only is the baby's first tooth cause for celebration, but also the promise of a happy future. At some point during the party, the baby is placed among key items that represent careers...s

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09/20/2012 03:02 PM

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Cake Stand Giveaway Winner Announced!

The cake pedestal giveaway winner was selected today! Thanks to everyone who tweeted/pinned/liked/commented/emailed me. I love hearing from you. In keeping with official democratic procedures, the names of contestants were put into a lovely bowl. Then, I closed my eyes, shuffled the li'l pieces of paper some more, and randomly picked a name out of the

	Just for Foodies
	Being a mom is my favourite job and cooking is love. Every recipe has a good story. Life's too short to eat bad food. So, come for the stories, but stay for the food.

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