Movie Review by Douglas Kalajian
We’re often the last to see films that everyone else has
already forgotten. It’s a bit embarrassing when the film in question is as huge
as Iron Man or Avatar.
already forgotten. It’s a bit embarrassing when the film in question is as huge
as Iron Man or Avatar.
But I think we can be forgiven in the case of My UncleRafael, as it didn’t seem to stop at a theater near us. In truth, it was not a
national blockbuster, and that’s the real shame.
national blockbuster, and that’s the real shame.
In case you missed it, My Uncle Rafael is a 2012 comedy
about a 70-something Armenian who gets cast in a reality TV show. He “adopts” a
dysfunctional American family and restores both sanity and humor to their lives
by dispensing Old Country-style wisdom and, alternately, slapping the father
across the head.
about a 70-something Armenian who gets cast in a reality TV show. He “adopts” a
dysfunctional American family and restores both sanity and humor to their lives
by dispensing Old Country-style wisdom and, alternately, slapping the father
across the head.
The title character narrates the film as he tells his
story to fellow students at an English-as-a-second-language class. The first
clue that Rafael is a real Armenian comes when he is about to reveal to the
class his dying mother’s last wish but answers his cell phone instead.
story to fellow students at an English-as-a-second-language class. The first
clue that Rafael is a real Armenian comes when he is about to reveal to the
class his dying mother’s last wish but answers his cell phone instead.
The film is filled with that sort of small detail that
struck me as hilarious as well as authentic, as it should be considering the
story, as well as the character, are the creation of Vahik Pirhamzei, an
Armenian actor and comedian from Iran.
struck me as hilarious as well as authentic, as it should be considering the
story, as well as the character, are the creation of Vahik Pirhamzei, an
Armenian actor and comedian from Iran.
Pirhamzei also plays Rafael’s son Hamo, who runs a coffee
shop while trying to break into the movie industry. Plus, as Uncle Rafael
proudly announces to the class, Hamo also sells used cars “with no license!”
shop while trying to break into the movie industry. Plus, as Uncle Rafael
proudly announces to the class, Hamo also sells used cars “with no license!”
Some of the characters may be caricatures but it’s all in
fun and Uncle Rafael’s advice is actually quite solid. It’s also worth noting
that the film is extremely professional: You’ll recognize many of the actors,
and the production values are excellent.
fun and Uncle Rafael’s advice is actually quite solid. It’s also worth noting
that the film is extremely professional: You’ll recognize many of the actors,
and the production values are excellent.
We found the movie by chance while searching through
Amazon’s streaming video collection. If you’re Armenian, it’s well worth
seeking out. If you’re not, I’d still be curious to know what you think. The
mainstream reviews were not glowing, but for my money Vahik is at least as
funny as Tyler Perry.
Amazon’s streaming video collection. If you’re Armenian, it’s well worth
seeking out. If you’re not, I’d still be curious to know what you think. The
mainstream reviews were not glowing, but for my money Vahik is at least as
funny as Tyler Perry.
Perhaps odars (non Armenians) just didn’t get the jokes?
One of the running gags is about nazook, a flaky Armenian pastry
resembling rugelach, which is served to everyone on every occasion whether they
need cheering up or just filling up.
One of the running gags is about nazook, a flaky Armenian pastry
resembling rugelach, which is served to everyone on every occasion whether they
need cheering up or just filling up.
***
The constant reference to nazook in the movie got us
thinking … this was one recipe we hadn’t posted on The Armenian Kitchen.
thinking … this was one recipe we hadn’t posted on The Armenian Kitchen.
Nazook is irresistible – especially when served
with coffee, tea, or even a cup of hot chocolate.
with coffee, tea, or even a cup of hot chocolate.
Be warned: once you start eating nazook, it’s hard to stop! If you happen to have any left, you’ll be happy to know that nazook
freezes well.
freezes well.
 |
| Nazook – ready to serve! |
Without further ado, here is The Armenian Kitchen‘s version of scrumptious, slightly sweet, buttery, flaky
NAZOOK!
NAZOOK!
Ingredients for Dough:
2 1/4 teaspoons (1 pkg.) dry granular yeast
1 cup plain yogurt, room temperature (sour cream can be substituted)
3 1/4 cups sifted flour (or more, if needed)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room
temperature
temperature
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (such as Canola)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Filling Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
2 cups sifted flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup shelled nuts, finely chopped, optional (walnuts,
pecans, or unsalted pistachios are recommended)
pecans, or unsalted pistachios are recommended)
¾ cup dried apricots, finely chopped, optional (raisins
or currants may be substituted)
or currants may be substituted)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cinnamon
*************************
3 tablespoons melted butter (see steps #2 and #4 under ‘Preparation
and Assembly Directions’)
and Assembly Directions’)
*************************
Glaze Ingredients:
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbsp. plain yogurt
Directions for Dough:
1. Add yeast to the yogurt and mix together. Allow this
to rest for 10 minutes.
to rest for 10 minutes.
 |
| Step #2 |
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and softened
butter; mix with a pastry blender, fork or your hands until mixture is crumbly.
3. To the flour
mixture, add egg, vegetable oil, lemon juice and yeast-yogurt mixture, mixing
well. Dough might be a bit sticky. If so, add a little more flour, but do not
dry out the dough.
mixture, add egg, vegetable oil, lemon juice and yeast-yogurt mixture, mixing
well. Dough might be a bit sticky. If so, add a little more flour, but do not
dry out the dough.
 |
| Step #4
|
4. On a floured surface, gently knead the dough until it’s no longer sticky. Form into a ball. (At this point, Armenians
traditionally mark the top of the dough ball with a “+”, symbolizing a cross.)
traditionally mark the top of the dough ball with a “+”, symbolizing a cross.)
5. Wrap dough with
plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight.
plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight.
Filling Directions:
 |
| Nazook Filling |
Mix the 1 cup of melted butter and flour until combined.
Add sugar, chopped nuts (if using), apricots, raisins or currants (if using),
vanilla, cardamom, and cinnamon. Stir until the mixture is smooth.
Preparation and Assembly Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter and set aside.
 |
|
|
3. Remove dough
from refrigerator; divide into 4 equal portions.
4. Roll each dough
ball into a rectangle. Brush with melted butter.
ball into a rectangle. Brush with melted butter.
 |
||||||
| Steps 4 and 5 – edges folded over |
5. Spread 1/4 of the filling over each rectangle, leaving
1/2” border. Gently press the filling into the dough with your hands so that
the filling sticks to the dough. Fold the edges in 1/2” over the filling.
1/2” border. Gently press the filling into the dough with your hands so that
the filling sticks to the dough. Fold the edges in 1/2” over the filling.
 |
| Step #6- dough rolled into a log
|
6. Starting with the long side of the dough, slowly roll
it into a long log shape, making sure the filling stays in place. Gently
flatten with the log the palms of your hands.
it into a long log shape, making sure the filling stays in place. Gently
flatten with the log the palms of your hands.
7. With the seam-side of the log facing down, cut each
log into 2” pieces using a serrated knife or a crinkle cutting tool.
log into 2” pieces using a serrated knife or a crinkle cutting tool.
 |
8. Arrange each piece, seam-side down, on lightly greased
– or – parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing the nazook at least 1 ½ inch
apart from each other to allow for even baking.
9. Brush tops generously with the egg-yogurt glaze. Bake
for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Place each nazook piece on a wire
rack to cool completely.
for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Place each nazook piece on a wire
rack to cool completely.
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I got to taste them! Wow! Delicious. Sweet, flaky, but substantial. Loved 'em.
Glad you liked the nazook, Dave. It's definitely a no nonsense dessert!
I am Iranian-Armenian and the true nazook does NOT have raisins, apricots, etc. That doesn't say I won't use your recipes. Thank you will try this weekend.
Thanks for your comment, Anon. I realize I took a few liberties by adding the dried apricots and nuts in my version of nazook, but of those who ate it, no one seemed to mind. Good luck trying it this weekend!