NOV. ISSUE OF EDINA MAGAZINE

GREETINGS FROM CARMELA'S CUCINA,

The front cover of the Nov. issue of Edina magazine features my Italian Fish Soup which we always serve around the holidays. The magazine also includes the recipe for that special meal and a great Insalata Mista which I serve to go with it. To see the picture and article go to www.edinamag.com The recipes can be found on page 27. Or just look below.

They say that by the end of the week it is going to be much cooler, so you will want to try out my Zuppa di Pesce, and Salad. Just add a loaf of crusty bread and you will have a great meal. The other recipes in the article are from well known Edina chefs so you may want to make all of them and invite company for dinner.

Thanks to Paulette Mitchell for asking me to contribute to her story.

Buon appetito,

Carmela Tursi Hobbins

ITALIAN FISH SOUP
ZUPPA DI PESCE

1/4 cup olive oil
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1 large green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup sliced celery
2 medium cloves of garlic minced
2 tsp. crushed dried basil leaves
1 can (28 ounces) Italian style pear or plum tomatoes, un-drained
2 cups dry white wine
1 (8 ounce) bottle of clam juice
1 cup water
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 bay leaf
Salt to taste
1 lemon cut into thin slices
1 and 1/2 pounds sea bass, halibut or other firm fish cut into 2-inch pieces
12 hard-shell clams
1/2 pound bay scallops
1/2 pound medium to large shrimp, shelled and de-veined
1 pound mussels
juice of 1/2 lemon

Heat the olive oil in a 6-8 quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic and basil, saute until just tender.

Add the tomatoes and break up with the edge of a large spoon. Stir in the wine, clam juice, water, tomato paste and 1/2 cup parsley, bay leaf and salt. Increase the heat and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the lemon slices and sea bass, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Add the clams, scallops, shrimp, mussels and lemon juice, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium high, cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the fish is just done. Remove the bay leaf and stir in the remaining parsley. SERVES 8

MIXED GREEN SALAD WITH BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE
INSALATA VERDE MISTA

8 cups mixed field greens
3 cups sliced fennel bulbs (discard hard core and stalks)
1/2 cup pine nuts
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese

Combine the greens, fennel, and pine nuts in a large bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until the dressing is emulsified.

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well combined. Top with the Parmesan.

TAVERN ON FRANCE

Greetings from Carmela's Cucina,

We just got back from a relaxing and delicious brunch at Tavern on France, 6740 France Ave. in Edina. 952-358-6100, http://www.tavernonfrance.com/ This new place located directly across from Macy's at Southdale is the former Via Restaurant.

We happened to have dinner at the former "Via" one Sat. night late in March and you could count the full tables on one hand. It was a very sad sight to see. We learned during our dinner that it was going to be their last night open. so we spoke to the manager and started asking some questions. The story he told us, was that they just weren't able to make it as the upper end dining experience that they had hoped Via would be and that they were going to close for about 6 weeks and come back as something else.

And come back they did, true to his word they were open in about six weeks. Since I live in the neighborhood I watched as they built on a new patio and re-decorated. But most importantly they came out with a new menu that is really family friendly and more in line with what the area can support. Every time I drive by it on a beautiful day such as today the patio is full. And today was no exception.

After Mass, Bob and I wanted to go to brunch and he suggested that we see if Tavern on France was even open, and it was. Seats on the patio were available and since we are finally having a beautiful day we snapped a table up. The patio is lovely with a cooling water fall in the center, nice landscaping and beautiful flowers made for a nice setting. Our waitress came right out and explained the way brunch worked. $13.00 per person, and a full brunch are offered, beverages are extra and made to order omelets are ordered through the wait staff. A nice touch is carmel rolls baked in a small cast iron skillet brought to your table.

Now this brunch is not out-standing, but it was good. I really don't like buffets, and would rather choose from a menu, but they had a nice selection of scones, crossiants, eggs, sausage, bacon, cheesy hash browns, roast beef and a pancake bar. There also was a baked spaghetti dish and mashed potatoes and gravy and biscuts with gravy, which were all a bit to heavy for me at 10:00 a.m. The omelet that we ordered was wonderful, with mushrooms, asparagus, ham and cheddar cheese, we had decided to split it and in the future, I would order my own and for go some other things. There was some fruit on the buffet, but not much and after all it is summer and so many fruits are in season, that I would have liked to have seen more of that and maybe some granola and yogurt, but hey, it is a tavern.

All in all, I was very surprised at what a great experience it was. Next I want to try their "Happy Hour" which goes from 3-6:00 p.m and from 9:00pm to closing Mon-Fri. It may just become my new meeting place.

Anyway, it looks like the make-over paid off, now if they could just add a tree big enough to block out the big Macy's sign that you have to look at, it would be as perfect as you can get on France Ave.

Buon appetito,

Carmela Tursi Hobbins