Links to Reads: December 2015

Links to Reads: December 2015
Bakers in Yantai, China

Memories of Yantai, China, where I went for the Best in the World Gourmand Cookbook Awards and where my “Pomegranates & Saffron” won. What I loved most of all about the place is its people—always welcoming and happy. Like this couple, bread makers, I met in downtown Yantai. I didn’t speak Mandarin, they didn’t speak English—yet we connected. Sweetest people ever.

My very much belated December 2015 Links to Reads are here. Well, hello 2016! Happy New, friends of AZ Cookbook! Hope it will be great to everybody. Let’s start receiving positive, happy news from around the world. We all need them, don’t we?

This past year was a string of blacks and whites for me personally. Release of the Second Edition of my bookawards, losing a parent, some not-so-successful professional goals, and many other things, good and bad. Exactly what is called LIFE, which I love immensely, despite the sad notes it can sometimes present to us. I am grateful no matter what and very optimistic about the future. Looking forward to a wonderful year with all of you!

Talked a lot. Now,  the links. Here are some of my favorites from December. I always have a lot of fun finding these articles and reading them. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

* What are the 2016 food trends we should know about?

Impressive meatpacking robots are a new thing in technology.

* If you are vegan, you can use familiar flavors to create vegan dishes.

* Here’s what the world eats during the holidays.

* For cancer patients, eating right is part of the therapy.

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  • Last copies of 'Pomegranates and Saffron' Cookbook
    Last copies of ‘Pomegranates and Saffron’ Cookbook
    Photo: Receiving Best in the World Gourmand World Cookbook Award in Yantai in June, 2015. I have some news. I didn’t think this would come any time soon, but, I found out I only have about 200 copies of my cookbook, Pomegranates and Saffron: A Culinary Journey to Azerbaijan, left. In the world! The news is as rewarding as it...
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  • Shorgoghal, or Spice-Filled Flaky Breads | AZCookbook.com
    Shorgoghal, or Spice-Filled Flaky Breads
    Spring is here and so is the spring holiday Novruz! A lot of holiday baking has been done by Azerbaijanis around the world to celebrate the arrival of spring on March 21st. Along with scrumptious multi-layered pakhlava (baklava) and tender nut-filled shekerbura, spice-stuffed savory breads called shorgoghal are among the bakes to adorn generous festive tables every year. The following...
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  • Hello 2019 and New Food and Culture Tours to the Caucasus & Turkey
    Hello 2019 and New Food and Culture Tours to the Caucasus & Turkey
    Hello friends! Happy New Year! It took me long to write this post. I was away from blogging for so long that, honestly, I didn’t know where to begin. Sorry for being silent without any notice. Life happened in 2018, including many good things, such as my unique food and culture tours to the Caucasus, my birthplace. A crazy idea...
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  • Guba-Style Baklava, Photo by Pierre Cabanettes | AZCookbook.com
    AZCookbook is 10 + Cuisine and Culture Tour Update
    ...
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  • Apple Sharlotka | AZCookbook.com by Feride Buyuran
    Apple Sharlotka
    Photo: Greg Seber This post was originally published on October 16, 2009 and is now updated. I have added a recipe video and tweaked the recipe for best results. ______ Apple Sharlotka is a classic Russian cake that is prepared with tangy apples. Anyone who spent a chunk of his or her life (like me) in Soviet Union knows this...
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