Talin’s Mouth-watering 2 Layer Penne Lasagna

Posted on December 17, 2015 by talin401

I know you are probably thinking Penne Lasagna? I’ve made that possible. Who says that you always need to put Lasagna dough sheets to make Lasagna? Not to me. As long as you have Pasta Noodles of any kind that is large to mid size. I am not saying the Acini De Peppe, Orzo, and small noodles you use for soup and all that. I am saying Penne, Spaghetti, even Rotini. I have tried, tested and tasted. It is delicious! Well, let’s get started.

Depending on the number of people that you are serving in your family or your friends. It is in your preference.
This is for a family or friends of 4 or 5.

You will need:

– 900g of Penne Rigate Package (depends on your pan size as well and number of people)
– **Onions or Garlic are Optional. (It is your choice)**
– Oregano
– Basil
– Tomato Paste
– Tomato’s
– Mozzarella Cheese
– Parmesan Cheese
– Cottage Cheese
– Extra Lean Ground Beef
– Sea Salt – (Never use table salt) **To your added preference**
– Grinded Black cracked Pepper
– All Spice

To begin:

1) Mash the extra Lean Ground beef into small pieces, cook it well done in a pan. That is where you will add just the Tomato Paste and Sea Salt. add about 4tblsp full of tomato paste and 1 and a half tsp of sea salt. (Add water, but not too much) You do not want your Lasagna to be Soggy. Add just enough to mix the tomato paste with them together.

2) In a separate small mixing bowl add 1 tbsp Oregano, as well as Basil, and all spice – Mix them together

3) Wash and Slice 4 fresh tomato’s – use Tomato on a Vine or Roma Tomatoes. put them aside.

4) In a mixing bowl add the grated Mozzarella Cheese and Cottage cheese. Mix it together.

To make the Penne:

1) Make sure you put a little more than half a large pot of water

2) Boil the water and put Sea Salt and as soon as it boils, add the Penne. (Never put any kind of noodles in a non-boiled water, it will stick to the bottom of the pot and stick to the other noodles)

3) Immediately stir the Penne so that all the noodles will become tender evenly and keep mixing ever 2-3 minutes. Let it boil on medium heat for about 10 minutes. If it needs more time, then go to about 11-12 minutes. MAX. (Do not overcook and make it mushy. Take it out while it’s al dente)

4) Drain and set aside to make 2 equal parts of the Penne Rigate, but first Mix the ground beef/tomato paste mix with the penne before Parting them. Add the Oregano, Basil and All spice mix with them as well.
In a Medium to Large Pyrex Pan:

1) Add cooking oil spray to the whole pan.

2) Add the first layer of the Penne and even it out.

3) Add the cheese mix – then Put Parmesan Cheese

4) Add the layer of the Tomato’s

– **for the Last layer – Repeat Steps 2-4 but add #4 first, then #3– Add the Parmesan Cheese last.

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Oven Settings:

– Bring the Oven to Convection – to 375 degrees before you put the Lasagna in.

– Let it cook for 30 Minutes

and there you have it.
Penne Lasagna. Bon Appetit! Enjoy!

Sushi, Sashimi, Wasabi, Maki Rolls – Love Asian Food

Posted on October 28, 2014 by talin401

In the many years I have heard about sushi, the maki rolls and Japanese style cuisine, I told myself that I will never try sushi ever in my life and I will stay away from it because I am thinking about all the raw fish and everything and how I do not like things raw, but then I said let’s go to an all you can eat Sushi place, and so I decided, you know what? Why not, so I went and I had the Sushi and I fell in love with it. Now I am so addicted to all that, the Miso Soup, The California, Avocado Rolls, Dragon Rolls, Volcano, there are so many names for them. I tried the Salmon, Tempura, noodles, seaweed green salad, and so much more. I always said that I won’t try it, but now I can’t get enough of sushi. Its healthy and good for you and its so tasty and when you put it in the soya sauce, its extra tasty. I have become a sushi expert now. Been to that restaurant like 10 or more times. Once you get hooked, you will want to go all the time.

My first Sushi experience, my great friend showed me the ins and outs on what to order, the best things on the menu and choosing and selecting different types of sushi’s and rolls for me to try. The first time i went I went with the simple ones, then. They bring you tea when you get into the restaurant, they put soya sauce and this green very spicy hot dip named wasabi where you mix it with your soya sauce to make it have a kick to it, they bring you a little bit of a salmon too. The second time when we went to sushi, I had the more advanced type of sushi and I loved it all. It was so yummy and it depends on how they are made. You can’t eat sushi everywhere.

I always like to try new things and I am very happy and excited that my great friend introduced me to it. I want to try to make sushi myself so that when I entertain at home, we can have a sushi night all prepared by me. I might take a course or learn to do it from online. Maybe I can become a sushi chef later on in future, but now I will just stick to the all you can eat Sushi place I go to. When we went to all you can eat, you could eat as much dessert you want like mango or mousse cake, green tea ice cream or different varieties of them, and as well as you have a selection of soft drinks to choose from as well. There was just a place mat style menu and anything on there you can eat as much as you want.

If you order too much and you leave sushi, maki rolls or something on the plate and do not eat them, depending on the place, they charge you if you leave them. They try not to waste any food.

Now, you can’t try sushi from anywhere. Do not buy the ones in the sushi boxes you see at the malls or whatever. When you go to a sushi restaurant, observe that there is no fish smells, and make sure they bring it fresh to you. Not in a box because you never know how long the ones in the box sits for. always be cautious and mindful of where you buy it.

I love Asian food. Not only Sushi, Sashimi, Maki Rolls, The Wasabi Sauce with Soya Sauce, I love Shanghai Noodles, Korean BBQ Where the waiters bring you the raw meat and you cook it right in front of you sometimes. Depends which restaurant you go to, I also love Vietnamese food, Pho, Pad Thai, Vegetable Pad Thai, Chicken Pad Thai, and other foods. Do you like the peanut and peanut butter sauce you dunk your shrimp and veggie rolls? I get excited when I go to a Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, restaurants. I can eat this weekly. I want to go eat Asian food now. I am craving it.

Do you like sushi and other Asian food? What do you mostly enjoy?

Comfort Food At its Best

Posted on October 27, 2014 by talin401

There are days where we have had a bad day, something emotional might have happened, personal issues, or just that your day may have been rough at school, work, in a social setting, a disappointment and sometimes you just feel like over-eating more than the norm, but on comfort food. Sometimes there does not have to be a bad day, some people indulge on comfort food whenever they like. I know they say in moderation, but sometimes you cannot contain yourself and control the amount that goes into your body, but once in a while it is perfectly okay to over-eat or to cheat days where you feel like you need to have carbs and a little bit of sugar in your body.

Sometimes in the spare of the moment, you feel like heading to your local convenient, grocery store, restaurant and just grabbing a bite to eat, or loading your shopping cart with all these snacks, comfort food, and goodies. Its alright to do it once in a while I guess right? :).

What gets your taste buds rolling? My Comfort food at its best includes a variety of things which keep me going when I have a rough day, or when I have had a good day too. It does not matter.

My list of Some of the Comfort food I enjoy include:

— Nutella Hazelnut Chocolate Spread
— Frito Lay — Lays Ketchup Chips
— Kit Kat —
— Hummus
— Pita Bread Chips with Labneh (Pressed Yogurt)
— Doritos Cheese Nacho Chips
— Cashews, Peanuts, Sunflower Seeds
— Crackers
— Pretzels
— M&M’s Peanut/Milk Chocolate
— Nerds
— Fast Food
— Pizza
— Pasta

There is a lot more to this, but those are my main things.
What about you?
Do you indulge in Comfort food often?
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How to Exercise and Diet With No Pain, No Crazy Diet Plans

Posted on February 27, 2014 by talin401

All if not Most of us know the pain and stress that comes with exercising, eating well, following a diet plan, getting quick results in no time, thinking about the pain that comes with exercise and much more. Well, do not worry, I have the solutions and tips to steady, healthy, painless results that will benefit you in the future, but first you will need to dispose all those diet pills, protein bars, energy drinks, and all those crazy smoothies that are loaded with oodles of chemicals, harmful toxins that do more harm than Good which is a recipe for diseases later. Do yourself a favour a get nutrition out of real food, and skip those energy diet stores. Safety is number one and getting healthy and fit will not happen overnight. Work at it. Even if it may take a year, just get yourself up and be patient.

Exercising:

We all know that exercising has a lot to do with weight loss with the balance of food, but visit your doctor first, ask what type of exercise is good for you, whether its elliptical, treadmill, weight lifting, exercise bike, sit ups, push ups and whatever. I am going into my 3rd week being on the treadmill. The first week I began walking at 2.5 speed at 10 minutes, then I increased my exercise the week after to 15 minutes a day, then as I began my 3rd week, I am doing 20 minutes on the treadmill each day at 2.5 speed until I get to an hour much later.

It is important to pace yourself and begin to exercise and just get your body moving, then when your body gets used to it, slowly increase your time on a treadmill and exercising with whatever you have. Never begin at the top. Work your way up to prevent yourself from hurting and then you won’t want to do it anymore. Trust me, I have been there and done that. I refused to ever go back on the treadmill because of it, and now with learning how to do it, I began a pain free exercise that I will see results in the long run and your body will thank you later. You don’t want to hurt your Body, you want to get healthy and do it safely.

Skipping Meals — Do not Do it!

Skipping meals will not only do harm to your body, you will lose nutrients that your body needs to fuel up, Never skip meals. Eat smaller portions through the day and never go hungry as you will end up eating more and then that will add up the calories. Eat fewer calories, but portion them out and follow healthy recipes, but never ever starve yourself. You maybe losing weight, but what are your insides telling you? Getting healthy doesn’t mean that you have to skip meals, it means to eat everything, but limit yourself.

Water – Drink plenty of it.

Never drink Ice Cold or Cold water. Always drink warm to hot water as it will absorb into your body more and you will be hydrated. Put lemon or a little cinnamon to add flavour to your water and drink. Drink 6-8 glasses of water daily. You will end up using the washroom more, but that is a good sign. It means your body is getting rid of fat, and toxins. Your organs will function better, and your bowel movements will improve from being so constipated, well if you get constipated.

Food Intake — Eat everything: Never cut out anything:

Eat equal amounts of carbs, breads, grains, fruits, veggies, meats, pastas, cheeses and other foods. Never ever cut anything out from your diet as everything has its nutrients, with iron, folic acid, niacin, vitamins and minerals needed for the body to function. Always be aware of what your purchase at the grocery store, and read the nutrition labels… Sodium and Sugar are in a lot of our foods, and it is not very good for you, but if you limit the quantity ingested, you will see results. Follow the labels, and go from there. The more you cut out sweets and carbs from your diet, you will want more, so limit yourself and never ever let these crazy diet plans get to you.

What really angers me is when people waste a whole egg, do not throw away the Egg yolk, eat the whole egg, you are entitled to eat it one everyday, and sometimes a couple of times per week, but do not cut it all out. It really makes my blood boil when people waste food like that. DO NOT. Eat EVERYTHING!

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Trust in me, I have been there when it comes to pain and trying to seek fast results. It put my body into pain for weeks and sometimes I could not even move. I was sore, I was crying in agony and in pain. I gave up very quickly because I did not want to feel that burn pain in my lower leg calve muscles. That killed me. I just couldn’t deal with it anymore. I began so many times with my exercise and stopped within the few weeks or 3 months. I just didn’t have the energy to do it anymore because of the pain I endured. It was so bad, That I cried.

Don’t let over excessive people give you advice on how to workout and eat right, don’t let these extreme diet plans, exercises get in the way. Do it as you feel, and listen to your body. Don’t allow over extremists to control your mind and your motivation. Get motivated by doing it at your own pace and never fall for gimmicks, and those diet stores with terrible chemicals that will hurt you in the long run. So save lots of money, get moving on your own time and never ever allow others to control you. Lose weight, have fun doing it and do not stress over how long it takes. Longer is better. trust me.

You will thank me later.In a year or less from now, you will find me and say, Talin you were right about all this. I am glad you opened up my eyes. Exercising and Eating everything should not be struggle, it should be fun and exciting.

All the best and enjoy!

The Start of My Health & Fitness Routine – Any Advice for me?

Posted on February 11, 2014 by talin401

I am really excited to announce a new phase in my life beginning with the journey to getting more healthy and fit and to lose weight starting with: – 15-20 minutes on the treadmill for the first 2 weeks everyday – After 2 weeks 25 minutes for another 2 weeks everyday
then the 2nd month 30 minutes, then up to 45 minutes the 3rd month, then 1 hour after the 4th month, then I will exercise 5 days per week after the 3rd month. Just the beginning, I will need to exercise everyday and keep at it. I was thinking about it during the weekend, I said what am I doing to myself? What am I doing to my body? I need to get moving.

Then I will do some Yoga as my Body gets skinnier. Eventually I will join a Gym, but I already have a treadmill at home.

I want to improve my nutrition and food intake, and eat healthier to keep the weight off. I will have a light breakfast in the morning with oatmeal, boiled egg, a glass of water or 2, then small portions throughout the day with portioned rice and pastas with a limited amount, drinking about 1-2 liter’s of water a day, no sugar in coffee or tea, no chocolate, but dark chocolate, no refined sugars, candies, sweets, lots of veggies and fruit, more leafy greens, and foods with colour, more raw veggies… Hopefully by the summer time I will lose about 40-50 pounds.

How can I stop the cravings for eating a lot of Carbs and how do I prevent myself from eating sugary things? Its going to be a huge challenge, but I am up to changing my lifestyle, and the way I eat.

What websites should I visit that really help with Fitness and Eating well? There is a lot out there, but which ones are actually accurate and from the best sources?

What advice do you have for me? What do you think I should do in terms of portion control? what kind of things I should avoid, and all that other stuff? How can I maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle without overdoing it. I never want to over do it. I would appreciate it so much. Thank you!

Talin’s Ultimate Couscous Salad Recipe

Posted on January 15, 2014 by talin401

I would like to introduce to you a very healthy, flavorful, Couscous Salad recipe, which is full of essential nutrients, which will get your taste buds active and will want the whole salad bowl to yourself. Yes, it is that good! Couscous is one of my favorite things to add to vegetables, and add so much flavor with it. Excellent choice to serve at dinner parties, or regular dinners, for lunch, for dinner, anytime. Here is The Ultimate Couscous Salad Recipe.

Couscous Salad Recipe
Serves: 4 or more. depending on how much quantity you would like to prepare. play around with the amount of ingredients to your desire.

Ingredients…
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups pearl couscous
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
• 1 full cucumber, diced (about 1 cup)
• 1 large tomato, diced…. preferably tomato on a vine…
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh herbs (any combination of fresh parsley, cilantro, arugula, basil, dill or mint)
• 1/3 cup raisins or more to your tasting
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted or not. you can just add them in.
• Freshly ground black pepper and salt

To Prepare follow these instructions…
1. In a large saucepan, bring about 2 quarts of water and 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil. Add couscous and cook until tender, 8-10 minutes. Drain with a strainer — preferably thin holed strainer so the couscous will not fall through.

2. While the couscous cooks, in a small bowl, mix the oil, mustard, honey, lemon juice and zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

3. Add cooked and drained couscous to a large bowl, and then, pour dressing over warm couscous, mix well. Let it cool completely

4. After cooled completely, Add cucumber, tomato, herbs, raisins and walnuts to the couscous and stir. Taste for seasoning and add salt and/or pepper as needed.

5. Enjoy it when its cold – cover then refrigerate, about 1 hour. Better to eat cool…

Bon Apetit!

Pasta Lovers Unite – Loving All Kinds

Posted on January 4, 2014 by talin401

I have been loving pasta for as long as I can remember. I remember when I was 8 years old. I made my very first pasta dish with of course the supervision of my mom. She started getting me in the cooking mode since I was 7 years old and she taught me the basics from making pasta sauce from scratch and how long to boil the pasta for and then as I got older when I was 14 years old, I began to do it all myself without supervision anymore and they love my pasta’s I make. Now I do an assortment. I do lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo and a whole bunch of other styles of Pasta. I love tortellini, rigatoni, fuccilli, elbow macaroni, linguine, and among other really awesome styles. For all those connoisseur’s for pasta, I am sure you can all relate to the passion. I think all of us pasta lovers have this different type of food passion and I am sure all of us can eat this everyday.

Too many carbs though, but I do not care, Pasta is good for you. You may not believe it, but it really is and a good nutrition factor. There are some people who go overboard and go to extremes when dieting, I believe that nobody should diet. All it is, is to watch your portion control and who cares if you have a little more, but pastas have durum semolina, and all kinds of nutrition packed into it. God bless this food. Spaghetti, Penne Rigate, Tagliatelle, Cannelloni. I have come up with so many recipes, and different styles of how to create and make that perfect sauce, and that perfect blend of tastes. Some can be done with Veggies, an array of meats, Seafood pastas, cheese pastas, pasta salads, Olive oils, vinaigrette, I would love to get the accessories to make pasta from scratch for my Kitchen Aid stand mixer, but its so expensive to buy, So for the time being I want to try and do different pastas on my own and get the dough recipes and then cut the dough into Tagliatelle Nests, and get them all pretty. There are also small shells, linguine, and so many several types.

In the world, mostly Italy and few other places, pasta, spaghetti is very well know around the world, and different people make it different ways. what are some of your favourite pasta dishes? What do you work with? I would love to venture off to Italy and go on a Food Trip tour and taste and get the feel of how important Pasta is to those regions and to the cultures. I would love to go on a culinary adventure and get more personal with top chefs, Pasta Experts and so much more. The possibilities are endless and its such a beautiful thing.

P-A-S-T-A …. yum yum yum. Bon Apetit…..

Talin’s Special Pomegranate Vegetable Salad

Posted on October 9, 2013 by talin401

Pomegranates are one of my favourite fruits to eat and pomegranates can be used in so many ways as juices, a snack, salads and so much more. Pomegranates Originated from Armenia. Even though the Apricot is Armenia’s National fruit, but Pomegranates are equivalent to that. Pomegranates have so much nutrients and health benefits. You can get them at your local grocery store or specialty grocery stores. They are lovely fruits and I like them a lot. Well, here is how you make Talin’s Pomegranate Vegetable Salad.

You will need:

– 1 Red Onion – Chopped into Salad Size…

– 1 or 2 Romaine Lettuce – the full thing —- depends on how many people will be having salad.. Wash the romaine lettuce

– 2-3 Pomegranates — take the red seeds out — first before doing so, wash the pomegranate from the outside….

– Washed 1 Green Pepper — chop into salad size pieces.

– Half of a Cucumber or a whole one — Washed and chopped into salad size pieces.

– 1 or 2 tomato’s on a vine — washed and chopped into salad sized pieces.

– 2 or 3 Celery Sticks WASHED. Chopped into elbow macaroni like pieces but slightly bigger…..

– 2 Lemons washed skin — Squeezed ————— Mix this with the 2 ingredients below:

– 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil

– 2-3 sprinkles of SEA SALT

—- Optional — You can put Feta Cheese, A little Cracked black pepper, Black Olives…

*****Remember to wash all your ingredients very well and discard the ends.******

To Prepare:

Just incorporate all the salad ingredients into a big salad bowl, then add the pomegranate seeds on top then the Lemon Olive Oil juice, then toss and mix the salad very well until all the ingredients incorporate with each other and there you have it. A HEALTHY SALAD.

Enjoy!!!!

Talin’s Spinach, Mushroom, Red Onion, Whole Wheat Spaghetti in Mushroom Sauce

Posted on June 7, 2013 by talin401

Today, I decided that it is all about a healthy recipe. to get more healthy, eat well, have regular physical activity and have a well-balanced diet. Eat everything of the food groups, but everything has its limits. Now today, I’d like to start with Spinach, Mushroom, Red Onion Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Mushroom Sauce.

Ingredients needed:

Basil,

Oregano,

Salt (Mushroom Sauce will have Salt in it, but just add a little bit more into it)

10-15 Mushrooms(Regular and cutting them until each mushroom becomes 4 Pieces),

2 Red Onions Chopped,

Fresh Bagged Spinach — One or Two Bags

Whole Wheat Pasta — 750 g or 900 g —– Serves 3-5 people.

Mushroom Soup Sauce — 1-2 cans

Olive Oil

To Prepare the Sauce: Remember to wash the spinach, then wash the mushrooms and the onion before chopping.

you put olive oil into the Spaghetti Sauce Pan — make sure its deep enough to then put the whole wheat spaghetti to mix together….

Put in the chopped red onions to cook, but do not overcook the red onions as it will lose its colour…. cook on medium heat.

then quickly put in the mushrooms after the onions cook just a bit

then put in the basil, a dash of salt and Oregano into the pan and start mixing….

then after without chopping the spinach, just put it all into the pan and it will shrink in size. you do not need to cut the spinach.

then your done….. make sure the onions are still red to make it look good and the nutrients from the onions will not go away….

Then you will put in the Mushroom sauce and let it all cook until warm to hot….

To Prepare the Whole Wheat Spaghetti

In a pasta pot put water, but just enough and keep an eye on it so it wont overflow when it boils… add salt and olive oil into the water.

after the water has completely boiled put in the whole wheat spaghetti and let it cook for 10 minutes to 12 minutes MAXIMUM until its al dente. dont overcook spaghetti or any type of pastas.

Remember to mix the pasta in the water instantly after putting it in and keep mixing the whole wheat spaghetti so it wont stick together every 3 minutes until its cooked

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Then you drain the water from the spaghetti and you mix in the spaghetti with the sauce and your done…

—— Eat Immediately. You can put Parmesan cheese on top or feta cheese, but make sure the feta cheese is not so salty… there are different types of feta you can buy from a specialty grocery store or a cheese factory or something.

Then your done!

BON APETIT!

The Joyful Moments Of Cooking. How Much I Love It

Posted on May 4, 2013 by talin401

In my life, one of the most joyful and satisfaction I receive is when I cook, bake and enjoy my time in the kitchen with all my favourite kitchen appliances that make my cooking a lot more enjoyable and fun at the same time. I was 8 years old and I remember cooking rice for the very first time. It was the best feeling in the world when my mom taught me how to wash it and cook it. Now with my mom’s supervision she watched me as I cooked and she said, great job and it was my first time doing it. I got so excited. From then on, I started cooking a lot for my family and then as soon as I turned 14 years old, I did not need supervision anymore, and I could do everything on my own. I learned how to make lasagna, chicken soup, and other different types of food since I was 10 years old. When I turned 20 years old, I began to take over the kitchen and I would tell my mom to go relax, and I told her I got this. So now without my mom being in the kitchen, I do all sorts of dishes, I bake cakes, cupcakes, I make cookies, jello, home-made ice cream, fruit platters, salads, I marinate meats, I make meatballs, Ravioli, Armenian and Middle Eastern Dishes, I make my famous Chilli, different types of breakfast, dips, sauces, and everything, Among other delicious things that my family, and who comes over to my house, that always want seconds and even thirds sometimes. I sometimes think, I should have made extra, but I love it when there is no left overs. I love making everything from scratch. I seldom go and buy ready-made easy stuff, I enjoy making it all on my own. The best way to make it and you know exactly what is going into your food without all the added calories and ready-made products. Sometimes you see ready-made pasta, and lasagna trays from the grocery store, I never even touch those. I make mine fresh. You never know how long those things have stayed like that. I’d rather do it myself and it is a lot more fun that way.

I remember a time when I invited my whole group of friends over for Armenian Style Ravioli Called (Mante, Manti, Mantuh, Mantee, However they spell it), and the whole extra-large pot finished amongst everyone and to this day, they want my Armenian Style Ravioli, but that day will come again when I will invite them over. I remember a time when I cooked for over 20-25 people and all on my own. I had over 4 or 5 different dishes with salads, meats, and rice. It was a lot of fun although it was very hard to take it all on myself, but I made sure that the flavours were perfect and that everyone enjoyed it and they sure did. I love taking on big tasks on my own. Although it is great to receive help too, but I like taking on challenges and doing things on my own. especially when it comes to cooking. I don’t know, but I have become a perfectionist in the kitchen and I just love things to be cooked evenly, the sizes and I love the presentation. Even if it’s just for my family on a regular dinner night. I just love the presentation. I get the joys and satisfaction when doing so.

When I go grocery shopping, I also donate food to the less fortunate, and I put food in the food bank boxes that are put in front of grocery stores or in certain shelters, at my church they have food banks and I put a few non-perishable food items in the box. I love donating food to them. Knowing that a family out there who is less fortunate and needy is fed, that also makes me happy and that also makes me feel great that someone doesn’t have to go to bed hungry at night. It feels great to donate.

Food is my specialty and knowing that my family enjoys it and knowing that I made this with my love and care is what it important to me. I don’t cook because I have to everyday and I don’t cook for the sake of it, I actually love doing what I do and making sure my family is fed with the best possible nutrition. Happy Cooking everyone!

Talin’s Special Pomegranate Vegetable Salad

Posted on April 5, 2013 by talin401

You will need:

– 1 Red Onion – Chopped into Salad Size…

– 1 or 2 Romaine Lettuce – the full thing —- depends on how many people will be having salad.. Wash the romaine lettuce

– 2-3 Pomegranates — take the red seeds out — first before doing so, wash the pomegranate from the outside….

– Washed 1 Green Pepper — chop into salad size pieces.

– Half of a Cucumber or a whole one — Washed and chopped into salad size pieces.

– 1 or 2 tomato’s on a vine — washed and chopped into salad sized pieces.

– 2 or 3 Celery Sticks WASHED. Chopped into elbow macaroni like pieces but slightly bigger…..

– 2 Lemons washed skin — Squeezed ————— Mix this with the 2 ingredients below:

– 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil

– 2-3 sprinkles of SEA SALT

—- Optional — You can put Feta Cheese, A little Cracked black pepper, Black Olives…

*****Remember to wash all your ingredients very well and discard the ends.******

To Prepare:

Enjoy!!!!

The Joyful Moments Of Cooking. How Much I Love It

Posted on March 24, 2013 by talin401

In my life, one of the most joyful and satisfaction I receive is when I cook, bake and enjoy my time in the kitchen with all my favourite kitchen appliances that make my cooking a lot more enjoyable and fun at the same time. I was 8 years old and I remember cooking rice for the very first time. It was the best feeling in the world when my mom taught me how to wash it and cook it. Now with my mom’s supervision she watched me as I cooked and she said, great job and it was my first time doing it. I got so excited. From then on, I started cooking a lot for my family and then as soon as I turned 14 years old, I did not need supervision anymore, and I could do everything on my own. I learned how to make lasagna, chicken soup, and other different types of food since I was 10 years old. When I turned 20 years old, I began to take over the kitchen and I would tell my mom to go relax, and I told her I got this. So now without my mom being in the kitchen, I do all sorts of dishes, I bake cakes, cupcakes, I make cookies, jello, home-made ice cream, fruit platters, salads, I marinate meats, I make meatballs, Ravioli, Armenian and Middle Eastern Dishes, I make my famous Chilli, different types of breakfast, dips, sauces, and everything, Among other delicious things that my family, and who comes over to my house, that always want seconds and even thirds sometimes. I sometimes think, I should have made extra, but I love it when there is no left overs. I love-making everything from scratch. I seldom go and buy ready-made easy stuff, I enjoy making it all on my own. The best way to make it and you know exactly what is going into your food without all the added calories and ready-made products. Sometimes you see ready-made pasta, and lasagna trays from the grocery store, I never even touch those. I make mine fresh. You never know how long those things have stayed like that. I’d rather do it myself and it is a lot more fun that way.

Talin’s Spinach, Mushroom, Red Onion, Whole Wheat Spaghetti in Mushroom Sauce

Posted on March 22, 2013 by talin401

I have not written a recipe in a while, so I decided that today is all about a healthy recipe. My new years 2012 resolution is to get more healthy, eat well, have regular physical activity and have a well-balanced diet. Eat everything of the food groups, but everything has its limits. Now today, I’d like to start with Spinach, Mushroom, Red Onion Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Mushroom Sauce.