About Me

Hi. I’m Farida. I am 30 and I live in sunny Long Beach, California. I am originally from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, a beautiful country with friendly people, rich culture, and delicious cuisine. The country where everybody’s door is always open to guests. And I am hoping to continue this tradition here in my little virtual space.

I’ve been collecting recipes since I was about 10 although it took me much longer to actually start cooking - about 25, to be exact, with lots of intermissions in-between since I was busy studying for my MBA. My previous degrees, BA & MA, have nothing to do with cooking either.

Today cooking is my passion and hobby I am trying to juggle with a very important job of raising two little kids :) I am currently working on my first cookbook on Azerbaijani cuisine. If you would like to join my group of dedicated testers (thank you, team!) who test the recipes for my cookbook, please let me know.

You can reach me at farida@azcookbook.com.

To see me on FLICKR click HERE.
To see me on TASTESPOTTING click HERE.
To see me on FOODGAWKER click HERE

IN THE PRESS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

QUESTION #1: Will you be posting only authentic Azerbaijani recipes on your web blog? The answer is No. Many dishes are indeed indigenous to Azerbaijan but today’s Azerbaijani table is not limited to these only. There are many dishes from the cuisines of other countries, that have been successfully adopted by Azerbaijanis. For example, let’s take Napoleon, the wonderful flaky cake with creamy filling in-between the layers. I am not going to claim it is Azerbaijani because it is not. But it is a very common type of dessert in Azerbaijan. So don’t be surprised one day I post it too :) In short, I will be posting recipes of dishes that are commonly prepared in Azerbaijan, regardless of their origins and I will provide as much information as I can about the dish. And of course, there will be lots of authentic recipes as well! Stay tuned!

QUESTION #2: Will you post some international dishes too, those not necessarily cooked in Azerbaijan? YES. I will. I like experimenting with any ethnic recipe I find interesting. And when my countless cookbooks I’ve collected over time do not inspire me or when I need to fix something quick, I just make up a meal. I will also post recipes I try from my fellow bloggers and other interesting sources.

QUESTION #2: Who is taking your pictures? Unless stated otherwise, all the pictures you see on my blog are taken by myself with the help of my loyal digital SLR camera and my inseparable friend Tripod. Honestly, I am never satisfied with the pictures I take, so I am still in the process of enlightening myself about food photography. I hope my pictures will improve over time and finally satisfy my extremely critical self :) Pretty please: Do not copy, display or distribute any pictures from this blog without my permission. Contact me if you are interested.

Enjoy the blog! And please leave your comments because I love reading them!

PS: I had to copy paste the first 9 comments into this page since they didn’t transfer automatically when I switched from blogger to wordpress. That’s why they will appear post date. I can’t afford losing your comments! :)

AWARDS I RECEIVED FROM FELLOW FOOD BLOGGERS. THANK YOU!


From Gretchen


From Marija, Pixie, Georgina


From Amy, Medena & Zen Chef


From Amy, Elle & Mrs. Ergul


From Georgina and Isha


From Isha


From Swati, Chriesi, Shari & Lakshmi


From Georgina


From Georgina

40 Comments Add your own

  • 1. anonymous  |  February 12, 2008 at 12:21 am

    My family & I loved the eggplant rolls, stuffed grapeleaves & (not yet posted) sweet & sour chicken! Thank you so much for sharing these timeless recipes Farida!

    Fariba in Columbus, OH

  • 2. nora  |  February 12, 2008 at 12:24 am

    Post more!
    I have to send the link to those who are fond of Azeri cuisine (and learn myself too:-)).
    Ellerine sahlik :-)

  • 3. sevinj  |  February 12, 2008 at 12:24 am

    Hi Farida! Congratulations with your exciting website! How is your daughter? Murad? I recognized you when saw your picture. I am Anar’s sister, Sevinj.

    Waiting for new receipts.

  • 4. anonymous  |  February 12, 2008 at 12:25 am

    Hey!! I have a very good azeri friend who is guilty for my addiction to baklava I wonder If you can share the secret of this magic sweet

  • 5. farida  |  February 12, 2008 at 12:26 am

    Thank you, guys! To Pakhlava (Baklava) lover :) I will post the recipe as soon as I am done with it. It is going to be in my book too, no book without Pakhlava!!:))

  • 6. anonymous  |  February 12, 2008 at 12:26 am

    Farida,
    This is very good idea!!!
    I want to share link that has so many good Azeri recipies. May be you can contact Gulya and see if you can use some of her recipies. She has Азербайджанская кухня 1-9 with at least 50 different items from Azeri cuisine. I have tried them and they are excellent

    http://www.citykitchen.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=131&hl=

    Good Luck!!!

    Kama V

  • 7. farida  |  February 12, 2008 at 12:27 am

    Kama, thanks a lot. I will look at Gulya’s site.

  • 8. Elshad  |  February 12, 2008 at 12:27 am

    Hi!
    A friend of mine with name that gives us HOPE, has advised me to surf this site. It’s great. For me it showed our national dishes from a different angle. Do you think of adding special section devoted to Azeri dishes, which could be prepared in microwave oven? It’s very important for single men who are tired of pizza and frozen fish ;)

  • 9. farida  |  February 12, 2008 at 12:28 am

    Elshad, your message left me wondering if microwaving is an option in Azeri cuisine :) I am in dilemma now! Honestly, I am not pro-microwave, but if a good idea strikes me, I will let you know:)) In the meantime, try some of the easy recipes I have posted or will be posting soon. Single men should eat healthy too:))

  • 10. Aytan  |  February 15, 2008 at 5:27 pm

    Thanks a lot, Farida! It’s nice to have these recipes when you’re 19, far away from home, and desperately trying to learn to cook Azeri food! I’ll go get started with a couple of your recipes, some Azeri friends are coming over tonight :) thanks again, allarina sagliq!

  • 11. farida  |  February 16, 2008 at 4:51 am

    Aytan, thanks for visiting. I hope the recipes turn our just fine for you and you impress your friends :) Nush olsun! Visit again!

  • 12. jinna  |  February 17, 2008 at 2:10 pm

    Hello Farida! How come I didn’t try these recipes when I was in Long Beach! You’re such a great chef and this cooking book is brilliant. Pictures are also very nice. I like it very much :) >>> jinna

  • 13. farida  |  February 18, 2008 at 3:01 am

    Thank you, Jinna! I didn’t have time to cook fancy stuff when I was a student :) Come to LB now, and I’ll cook for you! Missed you!

  • 14. Jan Peters  |  February 19, 2008 at 8:18 am

    Hey Farida,

    great site, I am impressed - and not only by the recipes but also the design etc. However, I am also amazed that despite having an US MBA, you have not Americanized: no ad’s or fees on any recipe :):).

    Keep up the good work :),

    Cheers,
    -Jan

  • 15. Farida  |  February 21, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    Welcome, Jan and Thank you! Now you have to promise you will print out the recipes from this blog and cook for Ayse :) We missed you guys!

  • 16. Alida  |  March 3, 2008 at 1:44 am

    Farida khanim! Thanks a lot, your recipes make us feel like back home. It’s really encouraging me. I’m wondering wheather you can make Baki Quymasi))) U know what I’m talking about))) It’s different from the Regional Quyma.

    Take my huge greetings to your sweeties.

    Ellerinize saghliq!!!

  • 17. farida  |  March 3, 2008 at 9:09 pm

    Alida, thanks for visiting! Do you mean Quymaq? I am not a big fan of it, but I have the recipe. Will try to post it when I get a chance. I now have a long list with requests I am trying to accommodate :) Take care :)

  • 18. Serpil  |  March 9, 2008 at 8:41 pm

    Yaseminle seni bulduk. Harikasın. Seninle gurur duyuyoruz.

  • 19. Sandra Schultz  |  March 10, 2008 at 9:47 pm

    Hi Farida!
    It was a wonderful coincidence receiving an e-mail from you because I was finally looking at your wonderful website! The recipes sound delicious and the pictures tell me that they are. What a beautiful layout, and you have captured your voice perfectly in the writing that you do. I plan to prepare a few of the recipes. I was so happy to see your smiling face in that delightful photo of you! You should be very proud of this project. Please stay in touch.
    With love,
    Sandra

  • 20. farida  |  March 10, 2008 at 10:00 pm

    Dear Sandra, thank you so much for your wonderful words! You are an inspiration to me with your writing which I can’t beat :) I am happy to hear you’ll try some of my recipes. Missed you.

  • 21. Jamila  |  March 11, 2008 at 8:12 pm

    Farida, thank you again. I have sent your blog all my friends. It is really wonderful to share your recipes with everybody.

    Thank you very much.

    Jamila

  • 22. Seena  |  March 22, 2008 at 9:22 pm

    Hi Farida,
    Nice blog, seeing “Azerbaijan” just came to check..
    loved your recipes.. :)

  • 23. farida  |  March 22, 2008 at 11:09 pm

    Hi Seena, thanks for stopping by. The name Azerbaijan attracts, doesn’t it :) Please do visit again. I love your blog too!

  • 24. momatlarge  |  April 2, 2008 at 12:12 pm

    Thank you for visiting my blog, Farida! And I will be adding you to my blogroll as I do like what you are doing and hope your cookbook really turns out well!

    Barbara

  • 25. sunita  |  April 3, 2008 at 3:08 pm

    Farida, nice to know more about you…wish you all the best with your cookbook.

  • 26. farida  |  April 4, 2008 at 12:40 pm

    Barbara, Sunita: Welcome and thank you!

  • 27. Steffanie  |  April 8, 2008 at 9:30 am

    Our family just moved to Baku and I am very interested in learning how to cook here. This site is very helpful to me because it is in English and I don’t speak Azeri very well yet. Thank you for all the work. It is so well done.

  • 28. Elle  |  April 13, 2008 at 4:09 pm

    Hi Farida!

    I’ve tagged you for a Six Word Memoir. If you choose to play, and you don’t have to, but if you do, you can see the rules in this post:

    http://ellesnewenglandkitchen.blogspot.com/2008/04/thai-chicken-saute-and-six-word-memoir.html

    Cheers!

  • 29. KitchenGoddess83  |  April 21, 2008 at 1:00 am

    Hi Farida
    Thank you for the lovely comment on my blog. Of course I don’t mind you adding me to your blog roll. I will do the same.

    George x

  • 30. Chef Erik  |  April 28, 2008 at 4:40 pm

    Nice to put a face to the chef. It’s nice to see that you make time to enjoy cooking. I love to cook, been doing it for 20 yrs, I’m 33. I like your site’s set up. You ever thought of putting some group posting blog party thing together, like the cheese cake lolipop idea. Whatcha think?

    Erik

  • 31. TURAL NASIROV  |  April 30, 2008 at 6:07 am

    COX BEYENDIM HELAL OLSUN BELEDEKI BIZIM CANIMIZDA VAR YARADICILIK OZUNE YAXSHI BAX SENE UGURLAR!!!!!!!!

  • 32. Medena  |  May 4, 2008 at 5:25 pm

    Hi Farida! Check out my blog to see what I made! I guess I am hired as a tester! That is just a start, I am sure to try more… :)

    Can’t wait for your cookbook, keep us posted!

  • 33. JennDZ_The LeftoverQueen  |  May 30, 2008 at 7:33 am

    YAY! A cookbook! Let me know if you need some help!

  • 34. KRISTINA  |  June 1, 2008 at 5:48 am

    hi ferish.hw r u? yemeklerin eladiiii.tak derjaatttt

  • 35. Turkan  |  June 1, 2008 at 6:13 am

    Xaricdeki Azerbaycanin uz aglarindansiniz Tebrikler..

  • 36. Janine  |  June 3, 2008 at 8:15 am

    Hi Farida,

    Your picture of the this recipe is outstanding! I wan to try it, but I am not sure what you mean by white cheese (part skim milk cheese). What cheese would be comparable in the US?

  • 37. postix  |  June 4, 2008 at 5:07 am

    You’ve got extraordinary talent in cooking, Farida. The pictures look great and make me feel hungry instantly. And I’m sure they taste great as well. I hope my future wife will be as talented in cooking - what a life that would be. :)
    Enjoy your day,
    cheers,

    Igrar

  • 38. айгюн  |  June 10, 2008 at 3:02 am

    фарида,ты молодец,продолжай в том же духе

  • 39. emin  |  July 10, 2008 at 10:03 am

    strong!

  • 40. SERQQIZI from AZERBAIJAN, BAKU  |  July 24, 2008 at 3:48 am

    Hi!
    How are you? It is the first time that i’ve been here. it is very good. I am proud of you! :)

Leave a Comment

Required

Required, hidden

Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

Trackback this post  |  Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed