LOOKING FOR A HOLIDAY GIFT

Greetings from Carmela's Cucina,

The holidays are going to be here before you know it. I realize that this is hard to belive but just check your calander or look out the window and our wintery sceen will confirm it. I want to suggest an easy gift idea, my cookbook. It has great recipes, stories and photos and if you love Italian food you will love this collection of three generations of Italian cooks. The best thing is you don't even need to leave home to get a copy. Contact me at my website, www.carmiescucina.com or email me bchobbins@comcast.net and place an order. I will sign a copy, mail one out to you. And if you place an order by the 20th of Dec. you can have your own copy for gift giving. Order two and you can have a copy for yourself.

I also will be at St. Patrick's Church on Dec. 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00p.m. signing books and selling my spicey condimento so you could get a copy there too.

Reviews of the book are great and everyone loves it, you will too!

And just because you took the time to read this entry, here is a sample recipe for you to enjoy over the holidays.

CROSTINI WITH PEARS, GORGONZOLA, AND HONEY

6 slices of country-style bread

1 large ripe firm pear

5 and 1/2 ounces of gorgonzola dolce (sweet cheese)

3 tablespoons brown sugar

4 teaspoons honey

freshly ground black pepper

Toast bread slices briefly in a heated oven.

Peel the pear and cut in half vertically. Core and cut each half into thin slices. Melt the sugar and butter in a saute pan and add the pear slices. Cook on medium heat until pear slices begin to caramelize lightly and soften. There should be a bit of syrupy liquid with the pears. A few drops of water can be added if there is not sufficient liquid.

Divide Gorgonzola and spread over toasted bread. Place pears on bread and drizzle with honey. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper.

Buon appetito,

Carmela Tursi Hobbins