InternationalKalajians cook up a storm inside their Armenian kitchen
Published: Tuesday November 08, 2011
Doug & Robyn Kalajian of Boynton Beach, Fla.
Boynton Beach, Fla. - Want to know the perfect recipe for vosbov kufteh? How about the ideal bourma? Looking for a new and different pilaf recipe?
Take it from Doug and Robyn Kalajian. It all starts with the best ingredients, plenty of time, a sprinkle of patience and a measure of love.
"A well-stocked pantry doesn‘t hurt, either," they agree. "It's all in the way you delve off the beaten path. Explore. Experiment. Enjoy. Par-ee agh-o-jag. Have a good appetite!"
The Kalajians don't consider themselves epicureans by any stretch, just a fun-loving couple who enjoy sampling good Armenian food and sharing recipes with others --- whether their own or from others.
Log on to their website "The Armenian Kitchen.com" and you'll find a heritage of Armenian recipes with a personal touch, whether it's French toast, chicken soup or Christmas pudding.
It's where you will be inspired by an ancient cuisine, experiment with exotic ingredients, master cooking techniques you were afraid to attempt, and much more.
It doesn't matter where you live, what your ethnic background happens to be, what degree your food preparation skills are, or your finances. Everybody has to eat.
"Armenian recipes are as varied as their regions and dialects," says Robyn. "No two chorag recipes are alike. Food connects us across all boundaries --- generational, national, physical, social, nutritional and cultural."
They each have their roles. Robyn, a retired culinary arts teacher, is the chief cook. Doug remains the sous chef. He's an author and retired journalist who spent 16 years at The Palm Beach Post. He worked as an editor, reporter and feature writer during that stint before retiring in 2008 from what he called "our sadly shrinking industry."
Over the years, Doug hunkered down to cover a few hurricanes, chronicled the annual outbreak of spring break madness, sneaked into a mob funeral and came nose-to-nose with an alligator or two while criss-crossing the state.
Along the way, he wrote a non-fiction book called "Snow Blind" about a crusading public defender caught up in Florida's cocaine insanity of the 1980s. His favorite assignment?
"Going to France and walking Normandy's Utah Beach with a veteran who landed there on D-Day in 1944," he recalls. "When I'm not cooking, or more likely eating, I do freelance editing and writing."
He and Robyn discovered a common interest in Armenian cooking the night they met back in 1976. He was working at the New York Daily News while she was teaching at a high school by the New Jersey shore.
"We were immediately struck by our similarities and backgrounds," said Doug. "Not only were we both Armenian, our fathers' families both came from Dikranagert. We had many friends in common and had experienced similarly Armenian-intensive childhoods. Talk about destiny!"
They wed the following year and moved to Florida when Doug took an editing job at The Miami Herald. Although they suspected Florida to be a short-term engagement, they're still in the Sunshine State after 31 years. A daughter Mandy lives in New York where she's a marketing executive.
Robyn studied home economics at New Jersey's Montclair State College. She taught in New Jersey and Florida public schools for more than 30 years. During that time, she honed her cooking skills in a variety of classes at such noted institutions as Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island.
Before retiring nearly three years ago, she taught in the culinary academy at Olympic Heights High School in Boca Raton.
The idea for The Armenian Kitchen evolved while discussing retirement plans.
"We've always wanted to work on something together," added Doug. "Robyn's knowledge of food and cooking with my writing skill was an obvious conclusion."
They discussed a number of potential projects, including a cookbook and a theme calendar. Every idea they hatched involved Armenian food. Using the Internet was something that would have intimidated both of them not long ago. But friends who were avid bloggers suggested they give it a try.
"It was daunting at times," Doug admitted. "But we were both delighted and amazed at how quickly we reached a large and enthusiastic audience. So many people are interested in Armenian cuisine and willing to help by contributing recipes, photos, even videos."
They started their project with a gut feeling that many folks shared an urge to preserve the recipes and cooking techniques of their parents and ancestors. The reaction they get each day proves to be right.
Many requests come from around the world and start with the phrase "I remember ..." and go on to describe some wonderful dish they haven't consumed since Grandma died.
"A non-Armenian gentleman from Queensland, Australia, who was so desperate for the taste of basterma, asked for a recipe to make it at home since there were no stores near him to purchase it," said Robyn. "A woman from Canada sent us an easy method of making madzoon in a microwave. Others write us hoping to find lost family recipes."
The most unusual request had nothing to do with food. A reader asked the Kalajians if they could translate an English saying into Armenian (including the lettering) for a family member who wanted to have it tattooed on her arm before her upcoming wedding. The request was fulfilled.
Since the first item appeared in March 2009, the Kalajians have reached more than 70,000 readers in 160 countries.
"You can attribute much of it to digital magic," Doug maintains. "The Internet makes it possible to keep track of every computer that clicks its way to our site. The analytics even tell us where they are. What a thrill it is to discover that someone in Armenia or even China and Africa has taken the time to read one of our posts."
