A veteran cookbook author returns to her delicious culinary heritage in this savory and passionate recipe collection. Victoria Jenanyan Wise grew up with the flavors, scents, and seasonings of Armenian cooking--a cuisine that combines Mediterranean tastes with Persian, Arabic, and Russian accents. In her first Armenian cookbook, Wise presents traditional favorites and inspired contemporary variations.The author takes us on a comprehensive tour of the typical Armenian pantry, with its nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, fragrant extracts, and wealth of fresh ingredients. Each chapter begins with advice and commentary on essentials, such as fresh yogurt, starters (maza), breads, salads, pilafs, meatballs and other meat, fish and vegetable dishes as well as sweets. Also included is a chapter on the Armenian people and its homeland.Recipes include: Lavosh, Armenian pizzas, and other savory breadsShish kebab, moussaka, and other lamb dishesBaked and roast chicken prepared with yogurt, dill, turmeric, and pomegranateGrilled mackerel with lemon and dillRed snapper stew with tomato and artichokesStuffed vegetables (dolmas) and stuffed vine leavesBaklava and other filo-pastry sweetsLemon yogurt cake, yogurt panna cotta with cherry sauceAlmond and rice-flour pudding with toasted almond slicesThis authentic and warm-hearted cookbook will be met by a ready audience of Armenians, as well as lovers of Greek, Turkish, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cuisines, as well as other culinary adventurers.