In 1970, Fresno, CA’s Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church Ladies’ Guild members and their friends decided to come together to publish the first ‘Armenian and Selected Favorite Recipes’ cookbook.

This comprehensive, easy to follow recipe collection is available for sale (contact info below). It is a must for anyone who is interested in making traditional and authentic Armenian dishes (as well as many American specialties) including kufta, keyma, shish kebab, harissah, pilaf, lamb shanks, dolma, basterma, yalanchi, sarma, lahmajoon, monti, chorag, gata, cheese berag, paklava, bourma, lavash, shakarishee, and roejig, to list a few.

Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church is the oldest Armenian church in the Western United States, and the oldest standing Armenian church in the country. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 31, 1986.

Christine Vartanian Datian’s parents and family have belonged to the church since about 1907 when her grandfather and his family emigrated to Fresno from Bitlis, Turkey.

Armenian culinary traditions are over 2000 years old. Armenian cuisine is as ancient as its history, and the land it is standing on.

According to the cookbook’s introduction, Plutarch said that Ancient Armenia was “a land that abounded in all sorts of plenty.”

Christine adds, “Many of the cookbook’s celebrated and beloved Armenian recipes have survived years of war, genocide, forced migration and assimilation, yet still exist today. That millions of families from around the world continue to make and enjoy these recipes feels like a miracle.”

The Armenian and Selected Favorite Recipes Cookbook was published by the Trinity Guild in 1970.

The cost is $20.00 each to purchase the Trinity Guild’s Armenian and Selected Favorite Recipes Cookbook. Include $5.00 for shipping. If paying by check, make payable to: Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. To order, please call or contact:

Nazik Arisian

Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church
2226 Ventura Street
Fresno, CA 93721

(559) 486-1141 (office)

nazik@holytrinityfresno.org