TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carrabba's Italian Grill is celebrating its 20th anniversary on Tuesday, December 26th. Since its humble beginnings as a small family-owned restaurant in Houston, Texas, Carrabba's has become renowned for its flavorful hand prepared recipes.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061222/CLF048 )
"This is a significant milestone for Carrabba's," says Johnny Carrabba who co-founded the restaurant in 1986 with his uncle, Damian Mandola. "Our family is very proud of the growth and success of Carrabba's and the number of lives that we've touched across the country, from our customers to our employees. We are appreciative and extremely grateful for the loyalty and support of our customers over the years - we look forward to serving them for many years to come."
The recipient of glowing accolades from culinary publications throughout the country, Carrabba's was recently named the top rated Italian concept in terms of quality and service by Restaurants & Institutions Magazine's "2006 Consumers' Choice in Chains Survey."
"Our original goal was to create the type of restaurant that one would find in New York's Little Italy - casual and lively with superior Italian food," says Carrabba. "We have never lost sight of our roots. Our legacy of delivering fresh, flavorful food and warm hospitality remains at the core of our business."
If any two people were "born to cook," it is certainly Carrabba and Mandola. These two kindred spirits share a passion for food and hospitality matched only by their love of family and friends. Part of a close-knit family whose ancestors came to the United States from Sicily in the late 1890s, they have grown up surrounded by wonderful food. Beyond their notoriety in the restaurants, they have become well-known names throughout the country as hosts of three seasons of the popular PBS cooking show series, Cucina. They have also published three cookbooks in association with the show.
Carrabba's currently operates in 32 states and has 217 restaurants.
Cannoli allo Sicilano
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Ricotta Impastata
1/4 cup Confectioner's sugar
1/4 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/4 cup Mini Chocolate Chips
Pinch Cinnamon
Method
Using a mixer fitted with a wire whip, mix the Ricotta Impastata and the confectioner's sugar on slow speed for 2 minutes.
Stop the mixer and scrap down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla, cinnamon and mini chocolate chips. Continue to mix on slow for approximately 20 seconds or until well blended. Chill the Cannoli stuffing.
To serve
Ingredients
- Cannoli Stuffing
8 each Cannoli Shells (can be found in some bakeries and grocery
stores)
1/4 cup Pistachios (chopped fine)
- Confectioner's Sugar (for dredging)
Method
Place the Cannoli stuffing in a pastry bag.
Pipe the stuffing into each end of the cannoli shells; be sure to fill from end to end.
Place the cannolis on a plate and sprinkle the ends with chopped pistachios. Lightly dust plate and cannolis with confectioner's sugar and pistachios. Enjoy!
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN8
PRN Photo Desk,
