Greetings from Carmela's Cucina,
I am very excited and pleased to be one of the judges this year for the Bloomington Center for the Arts Chocolate Competition. TASTE OF CHOCOLATE will be held at the center at 1800 Old Shakopee Road from noon until 4:00 p.m. The judging begins at 11:00 and continues until 12:30.
The two categories are The Best Chocolate Dessert and The Best Chocolate Confection. I am honored to be one of the judges and can't wait for the tasting. As an added bonus the public will get to vote for the People's choice awards. That means you get to be a judge too.
When my duties are done, I will be signing copies of my new cookbook, CELEBRATIONS WITH CARMELA'S CUCINA. Stop by and say hi and purchase a copy of the book for yourself or for a gift. With spring just days away, we have all kinds of reasons to celebrate!
If you need a speaker or a judge at any of your up coming events, contact me at www.carmiescucina.com
Hope to see you there.
Make every day a celebration.
Carmela Tursi Hobbins
Monday, March 5, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
LIVING LA DOLCE VITA
Want to live, "La Dolce Vita?" Live like the Italians do. Join me for a food and wine tour of this wonderful country in the fall of 2012. Choose a 1 week, small group tour to either Tuscany or Calabria. All tours are fully escorted and the land portion is all-inclusive. We use both English and Italian speaking guides. Our driver has been with us for 8 years, so you don't have to worry about getting to your destination and can even enjoy an extra glass of wine.Come to the information session of Sat. Feb. 18, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.
Contact me at bchobbins@comcast.net to make a reservation for the session. Deadline to register for these tours is March 31, 2012.
To see the full itinerary for these tours go to www.carmiescucina.com and click on the tours link.
Buon appetito,
Carmela
Saturday, December 31, 2011
JOIN CARMELA'S CUCINA FOR A TOUR OF SAVANNAH, GA.
Join me as I lead you around my favorite southern city, Savannah, Ga. from March 22-26, 2012 for a springtime get-away. Enjoy the culture, charm and cuisine of the area. We will tour the Cathedral of St. John, the Baptist, walk through Bonaventure Cemetery, enjoy Wormsloe Plantation and visit Bethesda Chapel. Walk through the streets of this southern belle on our "Mindnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Tour and enjoy an afternoon on the historic home and garden tour. We will enjoy a sunset cruise to beautiful Tybee Island where we will be treated to a Low Country Dinner. Our tour begins with dinner at the Ole Pink House. A cooking class at the Mansion's 700 Cooking School and the tour also includes a High Tea Reception and Tea Program.The tour includes accommodations at the historic Planter's Inn on Reynold's Square. Baggage handling, wine and cheese each evening and breakfast each morning. Escorted trolley transportation, driver gratuities and licensed and professional guides.
Space is limited on this tour. Please reserve your space by Jan. 15, 2012. Cost is $1299 for a double and $1726 for a single. Contact me at bchobbins@comcast.net or go to my website at www.carmiescucina.com for a brochure and more information.
And please do tell your friends about this wonderful trip.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
MY BURGER
Greetings from Carmela's Cucina,
Since I have been really busy the past few weeks with our son Teddy's wedding and then book signings in Des Moines, the men in my life took me out for a quick dinner. Our choice? The new burger place that the two Abdo brothers, Paul and John have just opened up on Excelsior in St. Louis Park. The burger was great and served with a nice side of crispy fries. I got mine topped with cheddar cheese, but Brian had the blue cheese burger and said it was fabulous. I suggest the fried onions which were caramelized perfectly and were nice and sweet. The guys ordered chocolate and strawberry malts and loved them.
The Abdo's have been running a MY BURGER in the sky way in downtown Minneapolis for a few years, but this is the first of many more to come in the suburbs. So forget all the other burger joints in town and give this one a try. I think you are really gonna like it.
I understand the fish sandwich is really good too. Mom, Carol Abdo says she likes hers double crisp. I guess I will be making a trip back in the very near future.
Buon appetito,
Carmela Tursi Hobbins
Since I have been really busy the past few weeks with our son Teddy's wedding and then book signings in Des Moines, the men in my life took me out for a quick dinner. Our choice? The new burger place that the two Abdo brothers, Paul and John have just opened up on Excelsior in St. Louis Park. The burger was great and served with a nice side of crispy fries. I got mine topped with cheddar cheese, but Brian had the blue cheese burger and said it was fabulous. I suggest the fried onions which were caramelized perfectly and were nice and sweet. The guys ordered chocolate and strawberry malts and loved them.
The Abdo's have been running a MY BURGER in the sky way in downtown Minneapolis for a few years, but this is the first of many more to come in the suburbs. So forget all the other burger joints in town and give this one a try. I think you are really gonna like it.
I understand the fish sandwich is really good too. Mom, Carol Abdo says she likes hers double crisp. I guess I will be making a trip back in the very near future.
Buon appetito,
Carmela Tursi Hobbins
Friday, October 14, 2011
TAKING RESERVATIONS FOR SAVANNAH, GA
Greetings from Carmela's Cucina,
Do you remember how long last winter was? Did you vow to take a winter vacation? Then I have just the trip for you. Join me and others for a 5 day get-away to Savannah, Ga. in March. Go to my web site at www.carmiescucina.com and click on the tours button. Take a look at the itinerary and make your reservation now. Contact me if you have any questions. Last years tour sold out, this one is sure to as well.
It is already the middle of Oct. the snow will be flying before you know it. See you in warm and sunny Savannah!
Make every day a celebration.
Carmela Tursi Hobbins
Do you remember how long last winter was? Did you vow to take a winter vacation? Then I have just the trip for you. Join me and others for a 5 day get-away to Savannah, Ga. in March. Go to my web site at www.carmiescucina.com and click on the tours button. Take a look at the itinerary and make your reservation now. Contact me if you have any questions. Last years tour sold out, this one is sure to as well.
It is already the middle of Oct. the snow will be flying before you know it. See you in warm and sunny Savannah!
Make every day a celebration.
Carmela Tursi Hobbins
Thursday, October 13, 2011
CELEBRATIONS WITH CARMELA'S CUCINA
Greetings from Carmela's Cucina,
It has been a very long time since my last post, with very good reason. I have been extremely busy both in my office and in my cucina, creating a new cook book just for you.
CELEBRATIONS WITH CARMELA'S CUCINA will be released at the end of this month. It can now be ordered on line through my web site at www.carmiescucina.com
The book includes 14 complete menus around celebrations that we enjoy through out the year. Fourteen chapters of new and unique recipes that compliment the holidays that we love to celebrate. With wine pairing suggestions made by my husband and wine enthusiast, Bob Hobbins. The beautiful pictures of the food I created were photographed by Erica Loeks a very talented photographer.
And my earlier book, Carmela's Cucina is also being printed again, so that you can also purchase a copy of a very classic Italian cook book.
These books make excellent holiday gifts and until the end of the year I am offering a baker's dozen, that is buy 12 books and get the 13th book free. Now that's a deal!
To learn more about my book signing events around the mid-west, cooking classes, and culinary tours please visit my website at www.carmiescucina.com
I hope to see you at a book signing event, cooking class or on a culinary tour in the near future.
Make every day a celebration.
Carmela Tursi Hobbins
It has been a very long time since my last post, with very good reason. I have been extremely busy both in my office and in my cucina, creating a new cook book just for you.
CELEBRATIONS WITH CARMELA'S CUCINA will be released at the end of this month. It can now be ordered on line through my web site at www.carmiescucina.com
The book includes 14 complete menus around celebrations that we enjoy through out the year. Fourteen chapters of new and unique recipes that compliment the holidays that we love to celebrate. With wine pairing suggestions made by my husband and wine enthusiast, Bob Hobbins. The beautiful pictures of the food I created were photographed by Erica Loeks a very talented photographer.
And my earlier book, Carmela's Cucina is also being printed again, so that you can also purchase a copy of a very classic Italian cook book.
These books make excellent holiday gifts and until the end of the year I am offering a baker's dozen, that is buy 12 books and get the 13th book free. Now that's a deal!
To learn more about my book signing events around the mid-west, cooking classes, and culinary tours please visit my website at www.carmiescucina.com
I hope to see you at a book signing event, cooking class or on a culinary tour in the near future.
Make every day a celebration.
Carmela Tursi Hobbins
Monday, May 2, 2011
CELEBRATING MOM
Greetings from Carmela's Cucina,
It's time to celebrate Mom and all she does for us. I have created an easy and delicious recipe for a Frittata that Mom is sure to love. Serve it with a muffin and some fresh fruit to start your Mother's special day. And don't forget to clean up!
Happy Mother's Day everyone!
Buon appetito,
Carmela Tursi Hobbins
FRITTATA
3 tablespoons of butter
3 medium leeks, cleaned and sliced
1 9 ounce carton of mushrooms, chopped
1/2 cup chopped marinated sun dried tomatoes
12 eggs
2 cups of half and half
1 8 ounce package of Italian cheese blend
1 small package of fresh Italian basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
finely chopped flat leaf parsley
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium high heat. Add leeks and saute them until they are tender about 5 minutes. Stir in mushrooms and cook them about 3 minutes. Stir in sun dried tomatoes. Spread the vegetable mixture in the bottom of a buttered 9x13 baking pan. In a large bowl whisk the eggs, half and half and 1-1/2 cup cheese and chopped basil. pour over the vegetables. Bake in a pre- heated 350 degree oven until top is browned and center is set about 40 to 45 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and chopped parsley. Let stand for 5 minutes and cut into squares.
It's time to celebrate Mom and all she does for us. I have created an easy and delicious recipe for a Frittata that Mom is sure to love. Serve it with a muffin and some fresh fruit to start your Mother's special day. And don't forget to clean up!
Happy Mother's Day everyone!
Buon appetito,
Carmela Tursi Hobbins
FRITTATA
3 tablespoons of butter
3 medium leeks, cleaned and sliced
1 9 ounce carton of mushrooms, chopped
1/2 cup chopped marinated sun dried tomatoes
12 eggs
2 cups of half and half
1 8 ounce package of Italian cheese blend
1 small package of fresh Italian basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
finely chopped flat leaf parsley
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium high heat. Add leeks and saute them until they are tender about 5 minutes. Stir in mushrooms and cook them about 3 minutes. Stir in sun dried tomatoes. Spread the vegetable mixture in the bottom of a buttered 9x13 baking pan. In a large bowl whisk the eggs, half and half and 1-1/2 cup cheese and chopped basil. pour over the vegetables. Bake in a pre- heated 350 degree oven until top is browned and center is set about 40 to 45 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and chopped parsley. Let stand for 5 minutes and cut into squares.
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