My Tasty Handbook

Growing up, I was a very picky… I mean a VERY picky eater.  Looking back, I feel like I made my mom struggle so much to make sure I get proper nutrition in me.  However, I do remember loving her green been stew, also known as Fassoulia.  My favorite part of the dish was the [...]

I took a little break last week to spend some time with my beautiful girls, family and friends. Even though  I did  not have enough time to blog, I  definitely found time to cook and eat. I will try to find the time to catch up and post some of my recipes and food ventures soon. In [...]

Do you ever find yourself opening your cupboards, or refrigerator looking for something that would help you pass your “hunger” stage? Well, that seems to happen to me often and usually I try to munch on something healthy. Since I am a moody eater, I can crave either  salty, sweet, or fresh things to much [...]

My dish, Zesty Zucchini Ribbons, Artichokes, Mixed Beans with Wheat Fettuccine not only made it to the Top 9 List on Food Buzz last month,  but now it also comes with a real painting.  Please go check out the painting at Lunch Box Project. It is designed by Lisa Orgler, designer & illustrator of The Lunch Box [...]

I am obsessed on having Fire Roasted Artichokes with  Spicy Vinaigrette & Garlic Dip every time I am at  Cheesecake Factory.  I feel like I mostly go there to get me some artichokes.  It is offered as an appetizer, but there has been times that I have just ordered a whole plate just for me.  [...]

Lately I have been in the mood for trying new flavors and ingredients.  Although, I enjoy Italian, French, Mexican, Spanish… well, what I mean is anything that tastes good…   I have been really fascinated by Middle Eastern/Armenian  (my background) and Indian cuisine.  This dish is a combination of flavors that combine the two together.  [...]

I recently gained a beautiful sister-in-law from Ukraine.  She really enjoys cooking and gardening, so it’s a plus when I can share my interests with her.  She was sweet and thoughtful enough to save some of her beautiful grown tomatoes for me.  I think that’s a sign that she really likes me… at least I [...]

This was a quick weeknight dinner when I found out my brother-in-law and sister-in-law wanted to stop by.  They did offer to bring food with them, but I had an itch to create something quick.  Besides, sometimes ordering food, or stopping by to get food can take longer than when you try making something at [...]

You might be wondering what does a Costa Rican Tilapia taste like… I was too, when I saw this recipe posted on Food Network’s site by Ingrid Hoffmann. (host of the Food Network show, Simply Delicioso) Every 3 months, my hairdresser cousin comes over on a weeknight, when my kids are already asleep to get [...]

In celebration of summer, I am in the mood for salads more than usual.  I wanted to make a Chinese Chicken Salad and Bobby Flay’s version with Red Chile Peanut Dressing sounded like a great idea.  I really was attracted to  the combination of the napa cabbage and the  lettuce leaves in the recipe. Also, [...]

At times I feel more Armenian than others.  When I have Watermelon accompanied by Armenian Lavash wrap with feta cheese, it definitely ranks me high up there on the Armenian list.   Even though I have resided in Los Angeles, California for most of my life, I was born and raised in Armenia until the age [...]

I chose to make this soup for its simplicity, interesting ingredient list and spices that I already carry in my pantry.   It is another recipe from Aarti Sequeria of the Next Food Network Star.  The soup is not only  healthy, but it’s full of unusual  flavors that come together so nicely. When I began [...]

When I decide my menu for the week, I go thru a very selective process.  Questions such as the following start popping up in my not so big brain. Is it healthy? Will the kids eat it? Can I prep in advance? Will it be costly? Am I familiar or have access to the ingredients? [...]

If you like portobello mushrooms, then you have to try it as a burger.  This is one of my favorite recipes that I make over and over because it’s so simple and yet so tasty… that’s of course if you like mushrooms.  It’s perfect for a weeknight meal. I have adapted this recipe from Rachel [...]

This is another dish that I grew up having over and over.  My mom always made this dish for our family ever since I can remember. I think she would make this because it was healthy, quick and budget friendly. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight meal.  The most difficult part of this recipe is [...]

I was on a rush Saturday lunch-time to get something quick, but healthy in front of my kids.  This pasta came to be a savior as I decided to pull things from my fridge and start prepping while my pasta came to a boil.  Not much thinking was involved, except to put the ingredients that [...]

I was pretty bad this morning and had to indulge myself to this colorful miniature size donuts from Krispy Kreme  – very tasty way to start my morning – Chocolate glazed with colorful sprinkles on top.  I am not sure if I want to know the nutritional info, but it was well worth it for [...]

If you are looking for a healthy, creamy, limey, garlicky soup, this is such a simple and flavorful soup. It was 9pm. I had just put my 2 girls in bed. I was tired and out of energy to start preparing food for the following night.  But I knew I had to save my veggies [...]

Growing up, I have always had Okra and Meat Stew that my Mom makes.  After many trials, I acquired and started to like the taste and texture of okras.  I still have her stew whenever she’s had a chance to make some for her and my Dad. Okra stew is not really an entertainment dish; [...]

I wanted to make something healthy, tasty,  quick, budget friendly, kid proof and vegetarian – that’s too much requirements when planning my menu for the week.  This recipe from Martha Stewart‘s delivered what I wanted in all aspects.  I followed the recipe pretty close with some minor changes. The description of the stew is as [...]

I was asked to bring a potato salad for a family July 4th party.  Well, not really asked… It’s more like I volunteered to bring something and my friend suggested that I bring a potato salad.  But because I am such a difficult person, I could not settle for just buying one from the store.  [...]

I bought some fresh mozzarella from Trader Joe’s and was thinking what I can cook with it.  I really loved the way it was packaged.  It was already pre-sliced and ready for sandwiches, or frying.  After opening the package, I transferred the contents (including the water) into a tupperware.   Then I did some recipe [...]

Growing up in Armenia, Tabbouleh was one of the common salads that my paternal Grandma would make for our family.  I remember her making a huge batch not only for us, but for her neighbor friends as well.   Even though for me, it was just Tabbouleh, but for her friends, it meant a lot more. [...]

I got an invite from my friend to attend a congrats party for her close friend – Doreen Fang, one of the 12 finalists for the Next Food Network Star.  I was exhilarated with joy.  My friend thought  I would want to promote our e-commerce site, monogiggle.com by helping with some door prizes.  Yes, that [...]

There was a peanut recipe contest on the Food Network Magazine.  Although I did not enter in the contest, I thought it would be fun to think of a recipe that will have that crunchy, peanut-y taste. I started asking myself the following questions: Q: What type of food do I enjoy peanuts with? A: [...]