Hyefeastla LENA

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Hyefeastla LENA 3rd gen. Chef! Love 2 share recipes, inspire, teach the new generation how to cook traditional meals.

10/19/2026

It’s been almost a month since I got back from Lebanon, and I’ve been craving traditional Lebanese/Syrian style falafels. After many months of recipe testing, I have perfected my recipe. Traditional Lebanese/Syrian falafels don’t have green herbs in them but if you want you can add them. It’s all a personal preference. Thanks to JONS Fresh Marketplace who had everything I was looking for especially the dried fava beans. Not everyone carries this ingredient. Make sure you visit JONS Fresh Marketplace for fresh, quality ingredients. Be sure to try my recipe and tag me when you do. Thanks for watching; like and save for future reference.
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Traditional Lebanese/ Syrian Falafels
Ingredients:
2 cups dried chickpeas (soaked overnight)
2 cups dried fava beans (soaked overnight)
1/2 medium white onion
4 garlic cloves
2 tsp Aleppo pepper
2 tsp cumin powder
4 tsp coriander powder
2 tsp white pepper
3 tsp salt
1 tbsp sesame seeds (to add on top)
1 tsp baking soda (add last minute before frying)
Neutral oil to fry: Avocado, canola, sunflower, or vegetable oils.
Fresh parsley & cilantro & jalapeños are (optional to your liking but not traditional)
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Preparation:
1) Soak dried chickpeas and fava beans overnight.
2) Next day, rinse well and drain. Add to a food processor or grinder with onions and garlic. Leave spices, sesame seeds, and baking soda out.
3) Once everything is processed to a grainy consistency, and not mushy or pasty, add spices baking soda, and mix well. Refrigerate for 2 hours so that the spices marry together.
4) In a deep pan add neutral oil and begin to mold. Top with sesame seeds and fry until golden brown and crispy. I like to make a hole in the middle so it cooks from the inside out as well. Oil temperature needs to be at 330F, very hot. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn. Remove and place on a paper towel.
5) Now assemble it however your heart desires with your favorite toppings. Tahini sauce, pickled cucumbers, pickled peppers, chopped tomatoes, chopped lettuce, jalapeños, and pita bread.
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09/15/2026

Felt amazing to be back! If you haven’t been to your birthplace in forever, go do it. Life is way too short not to enjoy it. You will not regret it. You will come back stronger than ever. Lebanon will always have a place in my heart now. Have a safe flight! ✈️🇱🇧✝️❤️
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09/09/2026

Another family jewel, a piece of history—my father’s journey in the food world. It’s incredibly special to look back at where our family’s story began and to realize how food, restaurants, and the love of cooking have connected three generations of our family. Thanks to the beautiful staff who remembered my family and welcomed us with open arms. I wish I met Mrs. Hala as well who’s the current owner but we had just missed her. Will definitely be back. Be sure to pay them a visit when you’re in Lebanon. 🇱🇧❤️
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09/01/2026

Summer 2026 in Lebanon was unforgettable. After 48 years, I finally fulfilled a long-held dream. I'm grateful to my cousin Nancy for encouraging me and boosting my confidence to make the trip. I’m so glad I went. I visited my family’s restaurant, retraced our culinary heritage, saw where my father worked, the hospital where I was born, the church where I was baptized, and where my parents were married. I also met second cousins I had only spoken to on Messenger or WhatsApp.
Additionally, I connected with wonderful women who became like family—friends of my cousins. I was in culinary paradise, surrounded by shops, restaurants, beach resorts, and Armenian-owned businesses—like a kid in a candy store. Words can't fully express my emotions. Lebanon is my birthplace and second home. I will definitely come back; this is just the beginning. Thank you all for your lovely messages and for coming along with me. Be sure to save, share and like this post for further reference. 🇱🇧❤️✝️😘
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Here is the list of places I bought products from:
ella.mouneh
Tenbelian’s spices
Al Helbawi Chocolate And Roastery
Hallab 1881 قصر الحلو
SeaSweet - سي سويت
Basterma Mano
alaminute.lb
Faddoul Supermarket 24/7
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08/25/2026

A Taste of Tradition at Original Falafel Arax! Next stop was an incredible experience for my cousin and I Falafel Arax. Talk about clean, delicious, fluffy and crispy falafels. I had never tasted any thing like this. When they say he’s the OG he truly is. No one comes close to his taste and flavors. Thank you for welcoming us with smiles and laughter. Next time you’re in Bourj Hamoud, Arax Street pay a visit, it’s well worth it.
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08/20/2026

Finally, after 48 years, I have returned to my birthplace—Beirut, Lebanon. ❤️🇱🇧

One of the first places I felt called to visit was the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church where I was baptized, and where my parents were married. Stepping inside was an incredibly emotional and meaningful moment, filled with memories, gratitude, and a deep sense of connection to my roots.

I immediately lit a few candles and prayed for the health and well-being of my family and friends, and for peace throughout the world. 🕯️🙏

Our Hayr Surp, Fr. Yesayi, is also a relative of ours, and he welcomed us with such warmth and open arms. We shared a beautiful visit filled with heartfelt conversations, stories, and blessings.

Being back in the place where my story began is something I will forever hold close to my heart. ❤️

07/23/2026

A healthy, protein-packed meal under $50 has been my go-to for my weight-loss journey, and JONS Fresh Marketplace, you can achieve these goals. They have all the organic produce I need and USDA Prime meats. I used ranchera meat for this recipe, and I was blown away by how tender it was. Hope you stop by JONS Fresh Marketplace and buy your groceries from them. They have a fast turnaround on fresh, quality produce and a variety of meats. I’ve been shopping with them for over 30 years. Hope you try this delicious recipe and share it with me so I can feature it in my stories. Thanks for being here with me. Like, share, save, and follow Lena Artunian for more.
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Ranchera Meat Marinade:
2 lb Prime flap meat ranchera JONS Fresh Marketplace
1 whole orange, juice and zest
2 limes, juice and zest
1/2 onion sliced
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
Drizzle olive oil or avocado oil
Choice of taco tortillas; I used Mission Zero Carb mini tortillas, lettuce of choice, or jicama slices.
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Mango Jicama Salsa:
1 mango cubbed
1/2 jicama cubbed
3 cucumbers cubbed
1/2 red onion, diced
1 bunch cilantro chopped
1 jalapeño, deseeded and chopped
2 juices of lime and zested
2 tsp salt
1 tsp Tajin or chile lime seasoning
1 tsp cumin
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Instructions:
1) Marinate your meat and let it sit for 2-3 hrs or overnight.
2) Adding lime and orange juice with its zests adds another dimension to your meat and tenderizes it. Don’t skip this step.
3) Grill and slice the meat against the grain to achieve a tender bite.
4) Use any choice of wrapper you like. I loved slicing my own jicama for extra crunch and to make it less carb-heavy. You can use any choice of lettuce or tortillas as well.
5) Accompanied by guacamole, salsa, hot sauces, and enjoy.
6) Chop all your mango jicama salsa, add the spices, mix well, and enjoy. It’s so refreshing and delicious.
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07/21/2026

Ojai Pixie Tangerines peak season runs from March to June. If you haven’t made ceviche like this before, you’re truly missing out. It’s tart from the lime and slightly sweet from the tangerines, how I like my ceviche. If you haven’t tried products from , what are you waiting for? They offer the best quality fruits and vegetables in town. You can buy them through the link in my bio, and they'll be delivered straight to your door, or you can pick them up at your local supermarket. I hope you try making this and share it with me so I can feature it in my stories. Thanks for watching and for being here with me. Be sure to like and save this for future reference.
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Ingredients:
1 lb peeled shrimp cut into bite size pieces
1 bag of Ojai pixie tangerines
1 bag of key limes or limes
2 Persian cucumbers diced
Quarter of red onions diced
4 small tomatoes diced
1 bunch cilantro chopped
1 Serrano chili pepper chopped
2 tsp salt
1 tsp coarse black pepper
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Directions:
1) Soak your shrimp in tangerine and lime juice for 1:30-2 hours in refrigerator. This will cook your shrimp. Then pour the liquid out and add 1/4 cup more fresh lime juice.
2) Chop all your chopped vegetables and add into a bowl with the shrimp and lime juice. Add salt and pepper and mix well. Enjoy it with your favorite chips of choice.
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