The holiday season is a time for tradition.
At no other time of the year are people more connected to their cultural heritage, as friends and family gather to share old stories and new gifts. But more important for some could be those special family recipes, which are made only once or twice each year.
In an effort to raise money for needed repairs and upgrades to St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church in Watervliet, the congregation’s women have compiled hundreds of family recipes into a new cookbook.
“These are recipes that can be hard to find,” said Sharon Foley, a member of the church’s Women’s Guild and chairwoman of the Cookbook Committee.
Foley said the church holds a bazaar each year where the food is very popular, and volunteers often receive questions about what is in the food and how to make it. Since the demand was there, volunteers began holding cooking demonstrations and teaching how to make traditional dishes. One of the most popular treats is paklava, the Armenian equivalent to the Greek baklava.
The cooking lessons were a success, so the guild decided to put together a cookbook.
“Next year we will be commemorating the church’s 100th anniversary,” said Foley. “This is not only a nice way to share our culture, but a way to recognize the women who came before us.”
This is the second time members of the church have produced a cookbook. About 15 years ago, church members opted to make the first cookbook, but it was small and looked more like a pamphlet. The women of the guild took these recipes and added their own to the new cookbook.
The book contains about 200 to 250 family recipes, many of which have been passed down for generations. Foley said the majority of the congregation are first- and second-generation Armenian, so some of the instructions read just like they would in “the old country,” but all are written in English.
The paklava recipe is included. So is a recipe for kadayfi with cream, another favorite Armenian dessert, and Manti, a canoe shaped dumpling filled with meat. Foley said all of the recipes are easy to follow, and the book is filled with recipes for every occasion in eight tabbed sections.
“This is not your standard cookbook,” said Foley, who believes it could be a unique gift for those looking to experiment with new foods. “This is a book with loads of different recipes to try.”
The book also includes a history of the church, helpful cooking tips and a directory of Armenian cooking terms.
Foley said the guild is looking to raise the money for needed church repairs. They are also looking to upgrade the church kitchen, which has become just as important a meeting place for the community.
“Our congregation is small, so these things are important to us,” said Foley. “We host pot luck dinners there and invite members of the community.”
The Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian also visits local colleges and schools to find exchange students or those of Armenian descent to invite them to participate in church events while they’re away. Foley said it helps with homesickness and is an added bonus for their parish.
“All of this helps keep our culture and heritage alive,” she said.
Foley said it’s an honor for the Women’s Guild to share their family recipes with the greater community.
“The Capital Region is very supportive of our bazaar and festival in June,” she said. “It’s a privilege to share our culture with so many people who have openly embraced it.”
To purchase the cookbook, call St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church at 274-3673 or e-mail [email protected]. The book costs $20 with a $5 shipping fee.