IANYAN Magazine

By Liana Aghajanian • September 6th, 2010

Among the many things that remind me of the hot Los Angeles summers of my childhood, Faloodeh is perhaps the most symbolic. Summer in a tub, as I like to call it.
Known as one of the earliest frozen deserts (The Encyclopedia of Jewish Food by Gil Marks dates it back to at least 400 BC), [...]

He’s an ex-prisoner of war, hasn’t seen a doctor in 40 years and recently crossed over to his 90s, but raw vegan Vaghe Danielyan is as strong as ever.
The nonagenarian who switched to a raw vegan diet after his wife Nina handed him the book “Raw Foodism,” by fellow Armenian Arshavir Ter-Avanesyan in 1963 lectures [...]

If you walk too briskly in the streets of Soho in London’s West End, you are more than likely to miss the hidden treasure known as Yalla Yalla, a packed Lebanese restaurant where you can relax in a calming atmosphere framed by Arabic-painted walls, while indulging in the comforting delicacies of Middle Eastern street food.
Run [...]

I’ve been living in Yerevan for the last four months. Originally from Los Angeles, I came here to work voluntarily through Birthright Armenia. I’ll miss a lot of things about Armenia; being surrounded by Armenian culture, my new friends, and tacos. Wait…what was that last one? Tacos? Yes tacos, something readily available in overwhelmingly delicious [...]

As Easter rolls around, the number of eggs in my house tends to increase by the day. Brown ones, white ones, organic ones, free-range ones, they pile up one by one in the inconspicuous refrigerator drawer, and while this may seem normal for the general population, these eggs will not be dyed in brilliant shades [...]

For some, the 40 days of Lent, in which Christians abstain from any and all animal products is a time of spiritual reflection and cleansing. For others, including many of those who make up a new generation of Armenians, it’s a 40 day challenge to see if discipline and self control over power one’s desire [...]

This fall, I sat impatiently as the humble pomegranate tree in my backyard blossomed, hoping that at least a few flowers would give way to the round, supple fruit I loved so much. The above photo showcases the fruits of labor of my little pomegranate tree that could, and while only two midsized pomegranates came [...]

Imam Bayildi, a Turkish dish that translates simply to the “Imam Fainted” is vegetable ambrosia. The aroma it produces while being made is enough to make your mouth water. It’s also an easy,quick and healthy alternative to an microwave dinner. If you love olive oil or eggplants, this flavorful dish is for you.
The name is [...]

In “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath,  human wants, needs and desires are likened to green figs, hanging from the great big tree of life. In the Biblical story of Adam and Eve, fig leaves are used to cover unmentionables in the Garden of Eden. Along with its references in literary works of yesteryear, the [...]

Besides the never ending supply of khorovadz (kebabs) that runs like a river through many an Armenian household, dolma is a pretty popular go-to second meal. Of course, this savory concoction consisting of stuffed vegetables, rice, a variety of herbs and spices and meat (or pine nuts and/or lentils if you’re vegetarian like me) isn’t [...]