Hello my readers, today I am going to share with you Armenian tomato sauce recipe. This sauce called Lecho.
By living in Armenia, where the winter is too long, it is very important to make some pickled vegetables and sauces for winter use. The sauce which we are going to make today, is mostly used in soups and can be used also instead of tomato puree.
For this sauce I will take (you can take more or less but this recipe is for 3 kg of tomato)
3 kg of tomato
1.5 kg of capsicum
Punch of mixed greens (it can be persley and a little basil)
Salt
Black peppers
First we put boiled water on tomatoes to peel them off. When the tomato is peeled we take it in to casserole and start to boil it on low flame (no need to add water).
Till the time tomato juice will be coming out, we can cut the capsicum.
Then mix it with tomato.
Then cut the greens and add in sauce
Add salt and black pepper and cook it 30-40 minutes till capsicum and greens will be boiled.
Your Lecho is ready. You can fill it in jar, close it and keep for winter use.
Hello my dear readers, it has been long I have not written any post about beauty tips. So today finally I had a time and decided to try one of my favorite face mask. This is one of the best option which I use to try at home whenever I am hurry and need to look good, specially when I have planes to go some event or some occasion or when I expect a guest at my home.
Its easy to prepare, and includes an ingredients which are always there at my home.
This mask is good for face glow, face whitening.
So lets start the process.
For this we will need
1 tablespoon kaolin clay
1 tablespoon of potato juice
10 drops of olive oil
(For those who dont know what is kaolin) Kaolin clay which is also called White clay, White Cosmetic Clay or China Clay, is a clay substance, basically found in soils that have developed from the chemical weathering of rocks in hot, moist climate (like rain forest). Kaolin is one of the most used ingredients in skin products.For centuries Kaolin has been used for nourishing, soothing and producing sebum for the skin. It helps to remove the dead skin and regenerate it. In India you can find Kaolin clay ether in pharmacy shops, or order it online from Amazon and Ebay( be careful and read review, and see if it's for cosmetological use or not).
The second ingredient which we use here, is potato juice. Did you know that potato is not only one of the most used vegetable but also one of the best ingredient for daily skin care? It has a number of benefits.
Potato juice has vitamin A, B, C, which reduce aging and avoid wrinkles. It has an effect of tightening the pores, softening and cleaning the skin. It may also reduce the irritation of the skin and make it calm and smooth.But the most important, the potato juice helps to brighten and lighten your skin.
Our third ingredient is olive oil. About benefits of olive oil I have wrote in one of my previous post in beauty section.So you can read it there (Face scrub with coffee and olive oil) but if we say it with few words olive oil is rich with vitamin A and E, minerals, antioxidants, natural fatty acid. It prevents skin aging, hydrate the skin, nourishes, helps skin cells to regenerate, maintains its elasticity and softness.
So here let's start the process. As I wrote above we need to take one tablespoon of kaolin mix it with one tablespoon of potato juice and 10 drops of olive oil.
Mix it till the time all ingredients will be well mixed and then apply to the dry face (here I will show it on my hand ). Let it dry for 10-15 minutes and then wash it gently with water.
Hello my dear readers, finally I am back and today I will be telling about my beautiful country Armenia.
On 21st of September we were celebrating Independence day of our Republic of Armenia.
Armenia, one of the most beautiful county in the world, one of the oldest civilization, first christian nation adopting christianity in 301 AD.
Armenian history starts with the name of Urartu in 860 BC. After 5th century it has been replaced with Satrapy of Armenia.
Armenian kingdom was split between Byzantine and Sasanian Empire in 5th century. In 9th century during Bagratuni Dynasty Armenian kingdom was restored, but due to war against Byzantines the kingdom fell in 1045 and then Armenia was invaded by Seljuk Turks.
Between 16th to 19th century the territory of Armenia has been divided into Eastern and Western parts, which have came under the rule of Ottoman and Iranian Empire. Later on (19th century) Eastern Armenia has been conquered by Russian Empire. But the Western Armenia continued to stay under the rule of Ottoman Empire. During 1st World War, Armenians living in Western Armenia has been continuously exterminating during Armenian Genocide.
By the time in May 28, 1918, after Russian revolution, Eastern Armenia got Independence and established First Republic of Armenia, but by late 1920, Soviet Red Army has conquered the territory and after two years, in 1922 Armenia has became part of Soviet Union. Only after fall of Soviet Union, the republic got independence as a current Republic of Armenia in 1991.
Republic of Armenia is geographically located in South Caucasus region of Western Asia.
Armenia is bordered with Turkey, Georgia, Nagorno-Karabach Republic, Azerbaijan and Iran.
Now Armenia has 29 743 square kilometer territory with 2 998 600 population. The native Armenian country name is Hayastan, which has derived from Armenians patriarch Hayk, ("stan" means place from Persian) who according to history is great-great grandson of Noah. He established his nation in Ararat Region 2492 BC.
Armenia alphabet has been invented by Mesrop Mashtoc in 405 AD.
Armenian church have originated in the missions of Apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus in 1st century, which is called Armenian Apostolic Church. The first patron saint and first official head of Armenian Apostolic Church was St. Gregory The Illuminator.
Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the mother church of Armenian Apostolic Church. It was the first cathedral built in Armenia (301-303 ) and the oldest cathedral in the world. The Cathedral was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000.
The capital of Armenia is Yerevan, with 1 073 700 population, it's the thirteenth capital of Armenia. History of Yerevan goes back to 8th century, when king Argishti 1st has founded the fortress of Erebuni in 782 BC.
During the centuries the capital of Armenia has been changed many times, but after 1st world war Yerevan became the capital of First Republic of Armenia.
Now Yerevan is the cultural, industrial and administrative center of the Armenia and the seat of National Government. In 2012 Yerevan was named World Book Capital by UNESCO.
Armenia is a part of European Economic Union and Council of Europe.
Hello my dear readers. It seems too long that I have not wrote a post, and frankly said this time was real challenge for me and for my family. But let me say it was real experience for me, I got to know about specific kind of people, and their specific nature.
My grandmother use to say that we people take honey from bee, but the same time if the bee comes on our way we kill it.
Sunday evening I got a call from my husband, he asked me to book a cab for him, as he was not feeling well and by night he was at home with the temperature around 103 (39.5 C). (He is a doctor and saves people life everyday).
Next day he was feeling bad, not due to the fever, but due to the things happened with him.
He told me how he was left alone and asked to work till the night with high grade temperature, by those whom he has helped a lot. And no any of his colleague friend has replaced him (even though he has done it many time for them).
Is this the kind of relationship between human beings now? What is going on? Why people are so cold and ignorant?
Everything has been changed, relationship between employers and employees, relationship between friends. Employers see only your potential and they praise you till the time you are able to "run" as they want, but once you fall they will "kick" you out.
And friends, ohhh friendssssssss.....
By this, I remember the saying of my grandmother, which I have mentioned above.
I really don't understand what is the friendship, is it those people who are in your facebook, who will like your everything, even if they dont like it, or those who will never show their sympathy even in your hard time. They are there just like that, probably for increasing the number of friends. But for what?
Virtual world has changed all relationship, and friendship is not an exception
I have always felt that friendship is a feeling, which can not be expressed in words and a good friend is a God's best grace to a person.
A friend is someone who will stand with you in your success, with your lot of so called friends, but when you are hit by a hard time and you fell down at that time hand which come towards you and pick you up.
But unfortunately, this thing feels to be fairytail. Nowaday we have three, four kind of friends: social friends, time being friends, friends for need ( they will only stand with you untill unless they need you, after that they will forget you), real friends ("endangered species").
It's very confusing to understand who is your real friend. Since the time, which we pass with them is more virtual than real.
No one is ideal, but I think we all must try to keep alive the feeling of honesty, morality and honor. I hope those words are true.
Hello my dear readers, today I was going to write about some other topic, but everything changed when I saw few photos, which have made me cry (one of my friend has sent it to me), the scene was like this,( photo was taken in airport) there is a couple, engaged, boy has to leave the country and girl has to stay around two years, then only she can be with him (situation is like this).
Here are our heroes, beautiful and sweet couple: Tatev and Partev.
When I saw these photos, my eyes automatically got wet. So much emotions I could feel from that couples, so much love. It has remind me a period of time in my life when I was in same situation and was saying "Goodbye" to my husband from the same airport.
Relationship is one of the beautiful attachment of couples. Have you realized how fast flies the time when you are with your loved one. and how every minute seems century when you wait to meet your love.I think after my this words everyone has remembered their first meetings with their loved ones.
For me love is one of the most beautiful feeling in this world which human heart can feel.
Love gives a power, it gives a mood, energy, positivity, inspiration and of course the most important it gives a life.
When people are in love, it's like a magnetic power, they always want to be together and enjoy each other's company, life seems a miracle, fairytale, but everything changes when you are supposed to live in distance.
Geographical distance becomes a huge barrier between couple and some couples can surrender, others can struggle till the end. Long distance relationship, one of the most painful part of everyone's love story. How many nights you passed without sleep and tears on eyes, your photos scattered all over your bed, by hearing sad, slowly music and looking at the photos.The music which was "Yours", under which you were dancing together. Music which You use to hear when was seating in the park together and passing the time during lazy Sundays.All love songs become your favorite one (even "Rabiz" songs).
Started from the time when your loved one goes far from you, all the places where you have been together becomes hell for you: parks, coffee shops, restaurants, adventures places. Everything reminds you about him. You walk to the places by trying to caught up instants and smells which you use to feel together, but everything is changed. You see there is some couple seating on "Your" bench ("our bench" was in Paplavok, Yerevan ). You become emotional, you remember yourself by seating with your loved one, then you walk to another place where your most romantic meetings happened ( for us it was in Kaskad, the view point, the top, from where all the city is visible and in evening it becomes enigmatically beautiful).
Kaskad was the only place where I use to go when I was alone. It's a kind of place where I could feel myself with him, by staying on the top and watching to the city, feeling the breeze, inhaling fresh air and telling to myself that everything will be fine.
And here it start, you want to be isolated, you want to be alone. As much hard will not try your family and friends, everything will not be the same as before. You start to ignore relative gatherings, meetings with friends will be shorten. The only thing which will give you happiness is a time when you spend on Skyp by talking with your sweetheart.
When you are in long distance relationship you want to be isolated, you start to think a lot about life, love, relationship,You go to church frequently. You become very sensitive and emotional, you can start to cry from every slow music.
In Valentines day you don't want to go out, and in birthdays you spend in front of Skyp, to cut the cake by speaking with your sweetheart.You always care your photos with you and tell your love story with small group of your friends. With the mind that what he is doing now you look at the sky and think that he does the same (even though he might not do it, but sometimes I used to call to my husband and ask him to look at the sky).
Oh yeah phone will be everywhere with you, because you don't want to miss any call (in case if you will get).
When you see airplane there is always one thing in you mind: " when my darling will come back to me".You can keep with you costrel of his already finished perfume, and every time you inhale it, you close your eyes and feel him near to you.
Long distance relationship is a hard psychological period for the couple, one should be enough strong to handle it. And specially when you don't know after how long you will meet each other.
Love is itself very beautiful and powerful feeling. If you really love, you can overcome long distance and finally be together. But any way, as it is a very hard process (I have a good experience of this) I wish all lover to be together and never be a part, because every minutes when we smile to each other, it's more than anything in this world.
And here let's do not forget about our heroes, whose story inspired me to remember mine as well, and write this post. Dear Tatev, as a girl who had a same situation before, I understand your emotions very well and I know it would be hard, but I believe you guys will continue your beautiful relationship till that time when we will see your wedding photos (and I hope I will share that also in my blog). We wish you all the best and waiting to see you together soon.
Wish you all love, peace, harmony and happy weekends with this beautiful music.
Hello my dear friends and followers, those days I was cooking so many delicious foods, that could not wait to share those fantastic recipes with you (though I would be happy to share not only recipes but also food).
Today we are going to cook rice with mushroom.I don't know if there is similar recipe exist with any name, but this was just my fantasy, and I was amazed from the taste I got. So let's go for recipe.
For this recipe we need:
250 grams of rice
400 grams of mushroom
5-6 cloves of garlic
3-4 tablespoon of spread cheese
First we wash rice and then boil it in salted water
(generally before boiling, I fry it few minutes in oil or ghee).
During this time we can wash and cut the mushroom, and then boil it till the time it's cooked (here also don't forget to add a salt to the water).
Then we take 3-4 tablespoon of cream cheese (here I have used Amul spread cheese, the classic one without any spice or flavor)
and few cloves of garlic.
We squeeze the garlic in to the cheese.
Mix it well.
Till the time our rice and mushrooms are cooked.
We need to mix the mushroom with cheese.
Then gently fill it on the top of the rice.
Close it with lid, and wait few minutes, till the time cheese will melt (because of steam) and mix with rice. Then you can enjoy it.
It has a fantastic taste, my family members love it a lot.
Since in India people eat too much rice, we need to be more creative and cook it in different ways.
Thank you all, hope you will try it, and will hear about your opinions soon.
Wish you all good appetite but also charming figure
Hello my dear readers I have miss you all a lot, Those days I was thinking to write about some other topic, but since my last post "Marriage with Indian Boy" got too much contradictory comments (special thanks to my friends for sharing that post) and unexpected number of views (around 1200 ), so I have decided to leave philosophical topics for another day and come together to bake a pizza.
Do you remember the first time when you have tried a pizza? I do...
I remember in Armenia first pizzeria was "Pizza di Roma" (if I am not wrong), it was near to Republic Square and everyone was Interested to go there and try the magic flatbread with toppings.
As an every child, I was also so excited to try outside food and specially something which I have not tried before. After sometime many food courts and restaurants started to offer Pizza and even people started to try it at their homes. My family has not been exception too.
By the time Pizza recipes has been changed and now almost everyone can try it at home.
The "PIZZA" word has been found in AD 997 in Southern part of Italy. Food similar to pizza has been documented from ancient history. Some people believe that it comes from Sardinia, some others believe it comes from Ancient Greek, and the history says that even in 6th century BC the soldiers of Persian king Darius I baked flatbreads with toppings. However we will not go deep into history to understand the origin of Pizza, we can only give our blessing to the one, who has done it and come back to our kitchen and start the process.
So first of all we need to prepare the dough.For that we need:
500 gram flour
25 gram yeast
2 tablespoon of olive oil
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
one class of water
First of all solve the yeast in to warm water, add the sugar and two spoons of flour, mix it well (we need the sugar to increase fermentation) and leave it for 15 minutes.
During this time we can prepare the sauce for which we need:
4 middle size tomatoes
two cloves of garlic
oregano
2 tablespoon of olive oil
salt
black pepper powder
First we need to wash the tomatoes and grate them with grater and leave the skin part (no need to peel it before, because when you start grating, the skin easily get separated.
Then we add mashed garlic, oregano, olive oil, salt and black pepper.Our sauce is ready.
Till the time our yeast is ready we start to make the dough. Just add a flour in to the yeast mix it well (if it's necessary you can add little more water) then add 2 spoon of olive oil again squash it well and leave it for 40 minute.
Here we can prepare our toppings, for that I will need:
one sausage
one big capsicum
100 gram sweet corn
100 gram mushrooms
100 gram cheese (mozzarella)
So when our dough is ready, we divide it into three parts, we take one and open it gently with rolling pin,then shift it into the pan
(dont forget to heat the oven and when pan is almost heated put some oil and then only dough).
First we slush it with sauce,
then we assort mushrooms,
then capsicum, sweet corns, olives and in the end the cheese.
Bake it under 250-280 Celsius temperature around 30 minute.
This one will be veg pizza, but for other one instead of mushroom I will use sausage.
Basically for Pizza the best cheese is Mozzarella but frankly said, today I have used mozzarella with cheddar (I have not had enough mozzarella at home).Of course the taste will not change too much from this, however the complexion will be a little bit, since cheddar does not have melting attribute but mozzarella has. And one more thing, if you love pizza with thick bread part, so before using the dough leave it in hot place for one hour.
So our pizza is ready, I hope you will try this recipe and soon I will hear the comments, Thank you.
