In The Kitchen With Stefano Faita

Recently, I discovered an incredible, wonderful and not to mention great looking chef on television on CBC. I was flipping through the channels one time and I really enjoy cooking shows, so I stopped on CBC’s channel while I saw this cooking show, and I saw that it was In The Kitchen with Stefano Faita, so I started to watch his cooking show, and I automatically knew it was a show I would like then I began to love it. I cannot wait to watch his show daily and especially, by the way Chef Stefano explains the way to cook food, incredibly easy methods, very tasty, full of flavour foods of which I like. I love to cook myself and I can tell that he is not afraid of adding a lot of flavour and he is always enthusiastic and excited when it comes to food.

This past week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Chef Stefano Faita during his chat that he had set up for his fans to ask him questions, and he gave me tips and tricks on what to do with stir fry when it becomes too liquidy, to always make sure my wok is hot and to make sure the liquid from the meat and vegetables dry out before putting in the soya sauce or whatever seasoning , and I had also asked him how to make pasta from scratch and he explained it to me thoroughly and I got to see his recipes and he answered me so quickly because it was an hour chat with him. He seems to be such a great person all around and I am so glad I got that moment to talk with him. I’d love to meet Chef Stefano Faita someday and enjoy his food that he makes with his magic chef hands. I am really impressed, and there are foods and ingredients that I never knew of until I learned them from Stefano. I enjoy chopping, dicing and the way he handles food. He is a natural.

I have learned so much about cooking from him that, I cannot wait to try his recipes at home to feed my family, friends and when people come over whether it’s for the holidays, occasions or for no reason, just to hang out with great company and great food in the mix, that will keep people coming back for more as Stefano says while he is cooking on Television.

You can catch In The Kitchen with Stefano Faita on CBC at 3:30pm Monday-Friday’s  in Canada or you can go to www.cbc.ca/inthekitchen to obtain more information, Stefano’s recipes, and where you can connect with him on Facebook, Twitter and more. You can also go to a taping of his show and be part of his audience. I wish Stefano Faita the best and May you continue working with those Magic Chef hands that you are so gifted with.

Kitchen & Time Saving Tips for The Upcoming Holiday’s

It is that time again and it is quickly approaching where we are just a few weeks away from Christmas and New Year holidays, and a lot of people get so frustrated, and are confused with what to cook, what to do to save time in Kitchen and so much more. The Holidays are about spending time with your loved ones, making memories and cherishing precious and personal moments with them and to spend less time in the kitchen, which is why I have these tips and tricks to help you in that department. Well, without further a do, here they are:

— 1 or 2 weeks before your big dinner night with your loved ones, decide on the menu and what you will cook and serve as snacks, as dinner and dessert. We know how hectic it can be to make several types of dishes, but simplicity is key. Do not overload your table with so many options of foods. Limit the amount.

— a week before the big event, do all your grocery shopping. Do not wait until last-minute as that time is to start preparing the day or 2 before, but if they are foods that will need to be prepared on the day of, make sure you start early in preparations.

— If you have more than 10-20 people or more or less, it is a good idea to buy Christmas Holiday style disposable cutlery and plates to set the table or set them to the side like a buffet table along with of course napkins, disposable cups and glasses for juice, soft drinks, wine, beer, alcoholic beverages, so that no washing dishes are involved. Keep the garbage bags on standby where you can get a reach of it quickly. (The only washing of dishes would be servers, and plates, pans that have the food that is cooked from it.

— Before your loved ones arrive, set all the desserts to the side where it will be quick to bring out.

— Do not spend half your time in the kitchen. Besides your loved ones came to get together and spend time together, to see each others faces. Preparation in advance is so important to do. Do not be afraid to ask for help, and delegate tasks for the whole family to do before others start coming over.

— Of course the house should be clean and tidy, use a rug at the front of the door to put people s shoes and organize them so that shoes will not be everywhere. make room in your closet for people’s coats. So take all the coats out that you and your family who live there and take them and put them in another room. If you have enough space for all jackets in your closet, then its all good.

— Before the meal, when people start knocking on your door and come in, have vegetable trays and chips bowls on the table or whatever snacks you will serve, but not over indulge in the snacks so that you have room for the main dinner. Then after the dinner is done, put out the snacks and dessert table. again limit the desserts as well.

— In the kitchen when you are about to start cooking, take out all cooking equipment out and once you use something and will not need it anymore, simply wash them, dry them and put them away, so that you have less dishes to wash later.

— when your loved ones are over, make sure everything is ready, then all you do is just bring them over to the table which won’t take more than 5 minutes, keep the food warm on the oven, until it is time to serve. After serving your food, and after eating, clear the table and of course throw out the disposable plates, cutlery and cups and glasses, then just give the table a quick wipe. Then quickly convert it to the dessert table where everything is self-serve. Also use disposable dessert plates and cutlery as well.

— Leave the washing of the big dishes until later so that you can enjoy your loved ones to the fullest and if people want to volunteer to help you clean and wash, allow them and it will be fun as well-doing things together. just not all on you.

— make the coffee, espresso and put the water into the coffee maker, in advance. after dinner, just press the button and the coffee will start to brew. Also make those disposable cups. Remember less washing the better it is for you.

— decide on decorations on table, centerpieces and theme. I have read that people dress up in Christmas sweaters, and same colours, sometimes people just come in anything.

— This is super important if your loved ones have a little too much to drink, do not allow them to drive a vehicle and make sure they stay over, until they are sober to drive again. Do not drink and drive and enjoy the holidays responsibly. You can save your life, your loved ones lives and others lives who share the road with you. When you know there is alcohol involved and you know that your loved ones will drink, ask to collect everyone’s car keys and place them in a basket and put the basket in another room and keep the door locked and when people leave just bring the basket out and let people grab their keys only if they have not drunk. or if they had one drink or something that still gives them the capability to drive.

— When nature calls, some of your loved ones will want to use the washroom. It is a good idea to have paper towels on standby so that your towels won’t be soaking wet when another person decides to dry their hangs, and a couple of rolls of toilet paper on the side, and extra hand washing soap if need be.

That is all for now, but if there is any particular questions you need to ask, do not hesitate to comment or personally e-mail me. You can find my e-mail on my contact me site which is located on top of the page. Thank you and have a great, safe, happy Christmas and Holiday season!

 

Talin’s Seasoned Potatoes With Veggies & Chicken Breast

Today, I am going to be introducing you to My recipe of Seasoned Potatoes with Veggies and Chicken Breast Meal. I have been cooking this for a long time since I can remember, and I love to cook this healthy and great meal. The Potatoes I use for this dish are small to medium White Potatoes. This will make about 4 servings. Here is the recipe.

Ingredients:

8 White Potatoes – Medium and Small or both assorted. – (Make sure you buy the ones without the sandy feeling. Buy the clean White Potatoes where you can just wash them. ) Do not peel off the skin of the Potatoes. — Make sure they are diced and a good size. Depends on your preference..

2 Green Peppers —- washed and chopped . – Make sure there are no seeds from the Green Peppers.

2 Carrots —- Skin Peeled, then washed, then chopped and keep chopping and making sure they are circles.

2 Red Onions —- Chopped in Stir Fry size — Not too big and not too small.

1 Red Pepper —- Chopped and again make sure no seeds from inside.

2 Tsp — of Seasoning Salt

2 – Tsp — of Mushroom or Vegetable Bouillon Mix

2 – tsp of Rosemary or Sage.

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts. Washed

2 tbsp of Chicken Seasoning

1 tsp of Basil

1 tbsp of All purpose seasoning

—————————————————————————-

To Prepare the Chicken Breast:

In a Oven Pan Spray some Cooking spray, and add about 3 cups of Water.

Then Season your Washed Chicken Breast with the Chicken Seasoning, Basil and All Purpose Seasoning and then immerse them into the water. Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees Celsius Convection cooking mode – Then put the Chicken Breasts in the middle of the oven and let them cook – which should take about 1 hour and 5-10 minutes to cook — It will come out tender and beautifully done. Remember Chicken must be cooked well done and thoroughly to prevent food borne illnesses.

To Prepare the Vegetables and Potatoes While the Chicken is being Cooked: I say to start cooking the Veggies about more than half way through when the Chicken is Cooking

in a Wok or Non Stick deep Wok, Add 3 tbsps of Olive Oil — Before the Wok gets hot, put the Washed and Diced potatoes, Let them cook for about 10 minutes on Medium High in between, but make sure they are not too mushy. Add the Carrots, Green and Red peppers, then add just 2 tbsp of water, after that Add the red onions, then add the bouillon mix, seasoning salt, and the rosemary or Sage, and let it cook for about 10-12 minutes on medium heat.

Then afterwards you take out the Chicken Breast that is done and then Plate the Potato and Veggie mix together and there you have it. A Meal for 4  – Health Wise. This is an easy and great meal to serve during the week or weekend, however you prefer. Remember you can always add and subtract the ingredients, you can even put more vegetables like Broccoli, Cauliflower into the mix as well. Depends on your preference. Bon Apetit!

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

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

————————————————

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!

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

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.

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. don’t 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

————————————————

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!

Bible Studies Have Resumed At My Armenian Church – I Am So Happy About That

I was at An Armenian/English Bible Study this past Thursday evening and Hayr Sourp(The Priest) taught us about the Tree Of Life, and the Tree of Life is Jesus Christ and it is important to gather youth and young adults together to hear Gods word and be together to eat from the Tree Of Life.

Bible studies have resumed for young adults and youth sessions, Every Thursday at 9pm at St Mary’s Armenian Church at 45 Hallcrown Pl. Toronto, Ontario — www.stmarytoronto.com

Verses from The Bible.
John 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”

Revelation 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God,

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.

Everyone is welcome to The studies. It is educational, yet wonderful. Come make new friends, and be part of it all. It is interactive, and beautiful.

 

 

Talin’s Specialty Home Made Chili — With Baked Beans

Hello,

I have not written a recipe in a while, so I decided to write one today. Here is how to make my famous home made chili. It is very simple to make.

What you will need:

Lean Ground Beef, 1 teaspoon of Salt, half teaspoon of Pepper, 1 teaspoon of All Spice, half teaspoon of Cinnamon,  a pinch or two of Chili Flakes, 1 teaspoon of Ground Powdered Chili,  4 tablespoons of Tomato Paste, Baked Beans with tomato sauce(3 cans), 2 Red Onions, 1 Red Pepper Washed and Chopped into bite sized pieces, 1 Can of Red Kidney Beans with the fluid drained and washed, then strained..

How To Prepare:

In 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil on Medium Heat, Cook the ground beef and part the beef as much as possible until they get into bits, but not too too much. want to have some Chunky little Ground beef, after that is well done and cooked, add in the 2 red onions chopped. then add about 1/3 of water so that it will steam together and cook. Then add the Salt, Pepper, Cinnamon, All Spice, Chili Flakes, Powdered Chili, let that all cook with the ground beef and onions, then after you put in the 1 red pepper, then you add the Tomato Paste. After all that is cooked, put in the red kidney beans and baked beans together. Now then put half a cup of water so that it becomes a bit more liquidy. Then make sure that the chili is very hot. Put the temperature in between High and Medium toward the middle and then voila! This serves to about 4-5 people.

Depending on the mildness to the hotness of the chili, it all depends on a persons preference how much hot spices like the powdered chili and chili flakes to put in.

BON APETIT!

 

Talin’s Roast / Marinade

Today I will be discussing on how to cook Roast with great Marinading sauce.

It is so important to incorporate the Tomato Paste as that is the key ingredient as well as lots of Garlic.

Roast Marinade.

You get some roast, cut it up — wash it, clean it,

1. 5 Tablespoon full of Tomato Paste
2. 1 Teaspoon of All Spice
3. 1 Teaspoon of Salt
4. 1/2 Teaspoon of Black Pepper
5. 5 Cloves of Garlic Chopped into Fine Pieces .. Do not squeeze the garlic. You want to have the Garlic pieces everywhere.
6. 1 or 2 cups of water so it can cook— Remember Tomato Paste Absorbs a lot of water so add a bit more to your satisfaction to prevent from burning…

Cook for about half an hour — depending on the size of the roast. the smaller ones take about 15 minutes….

And your done!

Meatballs with Yogurt Soup (Matzounov Kufteh)

I know in my previous article, i stated to write how to make mantee, but that will come up in next issue…

Meatballs with Yogurt is a favoured Armenian Dish.
Anyone can try it. It is a tasty dish, that is served at lunch or dinner.

Ingredients:

Fine Boulgour
Ground Beef
Salt
Walnuts (OPTIONAL)

Yogurt
1 Egg
Lemon Squeezed
Dried grinded Mint

DIRECTIONS..

1. mash the ground beef together, adding 1 or 2 cups of Fine boulgour and a little bit of salt to the meatball ingredients, then roll the meatballs to bite sized pieces.

WARNING: Do not put tooo much boulgour as the meatballs will come apart while cooking. Make sure the meatballs are soft, but a little hard.

2. have half a pot of boiling water

3. Get a bucket or 2 of plain yogurt, crack 1 egg into the yogurt in a mixing bowl, and add some dried grinded mint, and then add quarter cup lemon juice so the yogurt sticks together and doesnt break in the water and with the meatballs. PUT THIS IN LAST.

4. Cook meatballs for 5-10 minutes as it wont take long.

5. add the yogurt mixture in.. cook for 5 minutes and serve.

FOR FUN — Add some walnuts into the meatballs for a game. who ever gets the walnut, can win a prize or something. HAVE FUN with your food…

BY: TALIN ORFALI

Red Lentil Soup — With Parboiled Rice, Potato & Carrots

Hello, Here is one of my favourite and easy recipes to make on a cold winters day. Red Lentil soup is high in Iron, and Goodness and very healthy to eat. This concoction is a hearty soup and its incredible… Here is how to make it.

You will need:

– 1-2 teaspoons of Ground Cumin

– 1 Cup of thoroughly washed Parboiled Rice – Make sure you wash it very well until water becomes transparent….

– 2-3 cups of Red Lentil — Make sure this is also washed 3-4 times.

– 1-2 teaspoons of salt — use as desired, but I do not recommend it to be too too salty, so use it to your discrection.

– 3-4 potato’s — chopped and diced — wash the potato’s as well — Use regular sized potato’s but not too big.

– 1 to 2 carrot sticks, washed and zested, but diced as well.

To Prepare:

First you put the Red Lentils in the large pot to cook with the water, and bring it to a boil and make sure all the red lentils cook very well until you don’t see the lentils anymore just a light coloured mixture. Make sure there is enough water, then you put in the parboiled Rice, you let that cook for a good 10-12 minutes, but after 8 minutes of cooking the rice, put in the potato and carrots at the same time, then put in your Ground Cumin and Salt — Make sure the soup has enough water. keep adding water if desired, but make it hearty…. There you have it… RED LENTIL SOUP with Parboiled Rice, Potato and Carrots..

—– You can add Cooking Onions if you like into the soup…. that adds a bit more flavour… about 1-2 onions….

 

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

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.

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

————————————————

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!

Talin’s Chicken Marinade…

Whether it is Chicken Drumsticks, Chicken Legs, Chicken Leg Quarters, here is a marinade for you…
Chickens and Porks are meant to have a sweet and sour flavour to it but here I am to explain to you how to marinade good chicken…
1. Make sure the chicken is thawed out thoroughly. Wash the Chicken, Keep the Skin on, but wash out the other stuff all throughout, get into the outside bone areas and wash that red stuff… Make sure Chicken is washed in Luk-warm water.
After cooking you may take off the skin if you wish… It is recommended… The Skin is kept on to leave it tender during cooking….
— In a mixing bowl
2. Put 3 tablespoons of Dark Brown OR  Brown Sugar

3. 1 teaspoon of Allspice

4. cut and mash 3 cloves of Garlic with a garlic squeezer

5. 4-5 tablespoons of Soya Sauce

6. then Put about 5 tablespoons some Diana Sauce Rib and Chicken Sauce…

7. Mix them together..
DEPENDING ON how much chicken you have, you have to bathe all the chicken evenly with the marinade! SO Add or subtract any of the above as desired to make a great tasting Chicken!
—-
8. then put the mix onto the Chicken. Make sure every single part of the Chicken is marinated. — Keep Marinated for 1 hour…
9. Then Take a pan on a stove top or a machine skillet
10. 2 to 3 cups of water so that the Chicken will cook.. —
11… Cook for 45 minutes to an hour, then serve…  If you want to taste the sauce. it is recommended you taste the sauce after 35 minutes of cooking while keeping the lid closed. If more spices and sauces desired from any of them up top, then do so.
BON APETIT!