At the end of last December, after recovering from the joy and of hosting Christmas with family and friends, I received a most-interesting request from recently wed Lindsay Peckham of Weymouth, MA.
Lindsay, grandmother Rencie, and husband Jay Peckham |
Lindsay wrote:
“I just recently came upon your blog and couldn’t be happier! My paternal grandmother is half Armenian which only makes me a small percentage, but since I was very young I have always had an interest in everything Armenian! I guess you could say I feel more Armenian than I actually am! Every year – since before I was born – my family has had an Armenian cook-out where we indulge in all the wonderful Armenian food. A few years ago my grandmother taught me how to make kourabia and now I have turned it into my own Christmas tradition making it for family and friends. The reason for my email…besides telling you how much I appreciate your great blog…is to ask for some advice. I know that Armenian Christmas is on January 6th. My family has never done anything on that day, but now that I am married I was thinking that it would be nice to start my own tradition. I would like to host a small Armenian brunch that weekend and hopefully it will become an annual event. Do you have any suggestions of some things I could make for this occasion? We have a small apartment and an even smaller kitchen (literally no counter space)! I’d like to make a few different things, but since I have limited space, nothing overly complicated. Any suggestions or advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated! I look forward to reading more of your blog and trying out some of the many recipes.”
Lindsay mentioned that her family gathering was to take place on Sunday, January 8th so, I put on my thinking cap, poured myself a steaming cup of mint tea, and gave it some thought. I had to keep in mind her key points – recently married, starting her own annual family tradition, Armenian Christmas brunch, small kitchen, no counter space, nothing complicated.
My suggestions included: a mezza platter with basturma, string cheese, pita bread; nevik , parsley- onions- and -eggs, and few other favorites. You know me, I had to ask Lindsay if she would share her result with us.
Mezza Platter |
Grandmother Rencie’s Kourabia cookies |
Pomegranate and Pear Salad |
Lindsay began her food preparation on the Thursday before the event, carefully planning her work-strategy. With hard work and great determination, her first-annual Armenian Christmas brunch was ready in time for her guests’ arrival.
The Armenian Kitchen is honored to have had a small part in the establishment of the Peckham Family’s annual Armenian Christmas tradition. Thanks, Lindsay, for this opportunity, and for allowing us to share your first-ever Armenian Christmas event!
How neat! I LOVE cheese beoreg.
I remember as a kid asking my mom if my sister and I could stay home from school Jan. 6th one year, because after all, we WERE half-Armenian. We went to school. 🙂
A heart-warming item.
Thanks, Dave. It was truly an honor to be part of this tradition-in-the-making.