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Monday, October 6, 2014

Breakfast Carrot Cake by Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos

Breakfast Carrot Cake
Created by Debi Mazar & Gabriele Corcos, stars of Cooking Channel’s show Extra Virgin 

I wanted to share a recipe from Cooking Channel’s Extra Virgin stars Gabriele Corcos and Debi Mazar, Brand Ambassadors for Lavazza, Italy’s Favorite Coffee 


 Serves: 8 servings
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Ingredients:
2 large carrots (about 3/4 pound), peeled and grated on the large eyes of a box grater 
2 cups blanched almonds
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
2/3 cups all-purpose flour
5 eggs, separated
1 package Italian vanilla baking powder
Pinch of salt
Powdered sugar for garnishing
Tools:
10-inch spring form pan
Kitchen mixer
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350Fº and butter a 10” spring form pan.  Place almonds in a kitchen mixer with one tablespoon of sugar and pulse until coarsely chopped.
Sift flour and baking powder together.  Mix together egg yolks and sugar with a hand mixer until creamy and fluffy, then slowly and in increments add flour, carrots and almonds.
Add a pinch of salt to the egg whites and whip them to stiff peaks with a hand mixer.  Fold the egg whites into the mixture one third at the time, making sure not to overwork the batter, otherwise it will lose volume.  Pour the cake mixture into the buttered pan and bake for 1 hr.
Remove from oven and let it cool off at least 30 minutes before removing the cake from the pan, then garnish with powdered sugar and serve.
TIPS: Pair with Lavazza’s Gran Selezione or Perfetto specialty blends.
Carrot cakes tend to be really moist even after they are baked, so poking it with a toothpick to verify if completely cooked won’t help. Check the color of the cake,; it should look golden but not burned.
Ideally, carrot cakes should sit overnight to reach their perfect texture…but who can resist a slice of warm cake, maybe with a dollop of homemade vanilla cream.


If you’re not familiar with Lavazza; in 1895 Luigi Lavazza founded Lavazza, which still remains family owned and run. All goods for sale were produced and/or processed directly at the Lavazza shop in Turin, including: soap, spirits, oil, spices, and coffee. By 1900 Lavazza had six employees and Luigi had grown most fascinated by, of course, coffee, leading him to develop the Lavazza consumers know today…Italy’s Favorite Coffee! More on Lavazza’s rich history can be found here: Lavazza Historical Timeline. It is really amazing coffee and they are now available in k-cup form as well which is pretty fabulous!! 


Are you a LavAzza fan ? 

Today's Words of Wisdom: "I like coffee because it gives me the illusion that I might be awake." - 
Lewis Black




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Sunday, April 27, 2014

Spotlight on Artisanal Products: From Cup to Plate with Lavazza Coffee


I am thrilled to tell you about a very cool class coming up at the awesome La Scuola Grande at Eataly with Francine Segan and LavAzza coffee! Mother's Day is coming up, and this would be a wonderful afternoon for a mother/daughter or mother-in-law/daughter-in-law to attend. I like to give gifts that are memorable, sometimes they are so much better than "things", if you know what I mean. 

Here is the information on the class, and a link for you to purchase tickets. 


Event: Spotlight on Artisanal Products: From Cup to Plate with Lavazza Coffee
When: Saturday, May 3, 2014 2:00PM – 3:30PM
Where: La Scuola Grande at Eataly
            200 5th Avenue
            New York, NY 10010
            (212) 539-0204 – Ext. 304




What: Lavazza’s National Brand Ambassador, Francine Segan (James Beard Award finalist), will lead a unique voyage into the world of coffee at Eataly. As an expert in Italian food, Francine will guide an engaging class featuring Lavazza’s four new specialty blends. She will also discuss the rich heritage of this family owned Italian coffee brand. Together, Francine and chefs from Eataly’s La Scuola will demonstrate the recipes of a Coffee Hazelnut Tart and Coffee Cake. Following the demo, attendees will also be able to taste these delicious treats made with Lavazza.




FRANCINE SEGAN, noted public speaker and food historian, is the author of six books including Opera Lover’s Cookbook, nominated for both James Beard and IACP awards. Her many TV appearances include Today Show, Early Show, and Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood and she has been featured on numerous specials for PBS, the Food Network and the History, Sundance and Discovery channels.



Event: Spotlight on Artisanal Products: From Cup to Plate with Lavazza Coffee
When: Saturday, May 3, 2014 2:00PM – 3:30PM
Where: La Scuola Grande at Eataly
            200 5th Avenue
            New York, NY 10010
            (212) 539-0204 – Ext. 304


Today's Words of Wisdom: Coffee smells like freshly ground heaven. ~Jessi Lane Adams





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Monday, September 30, 2013

LavAzza Event at Grand Central Terminal

I was thrilled to visit the LavAzza event at Grand Central Terminal this past Saturday. LavAzza is one of the best Italian coffees you will ever try, the company has been in business since 1895!  
They had a wonderful display in Vanderbilt Hall, showcasing their new specialty drip coffee blends. Each flavor was available for you to try and enjoy. I think the only thing missing was some nice biscotti to dip in the LavAzza coffee! 
The new flavors are Gran Aroma, Classico, Gran Selezione, and Perfetto. I tried the Gran Aroma and it was really quite lovely. I brew with the Keurig, and they do actually make the pods for the machine, but I would rather use my filters and fill with this coffee.  
Grand Central Terminal is such a lovely setting for an event like this.  
How cool to have a sketch drawn of yourself at the event? 
Plenty of tables around to sit and really savor the flavor of this amazing coffee.  
They did not have coffee available for purchase at the event, but a few blocks down, it was available in retail shops.  
 
The brand ambassadors for LavAzza were in attendance, Debi Mazar and her husband Gabriele Corcos.  
They did a meet and greet with fans, and the fans were allowed to have their photo taken with the stars of Extra Virgin. They had their photo emailed to them for sharing with others which I thought was pretty nice.  
This is proof that Italians do talk with their hands!  
You can also check out their website Under the Tuscan Gun  for fabulous recipes  
A very relaxing setting for those traveling through Grand Central was a nice break.  
I am not sure why everyone felt the need to leave their finished coffee cups on my table. I found it quite funny to be honest.   

If you are a coffee lover, I highly suggest you try this coffee. You will not be disappointed. It will be available in various supermarkets such as Wegmans, Whole Foods, Shop Rite, Safe Way to name a few.



Be sure to follow me on Instagram for cool photos not always on the blog! I would be so honored for your visit!!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 



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Friday, September 13, 2013

For the Love of Italian Coffee with Francine Segan at 92nd Street Y


We spoke about the fabulous Tea Talk recently with Francine Segan, now we have a Coffee Lovers event! Italian coffee is just the best you will ever taste. Period. Italians know their coffee. On Tuesday, September 24, 2013, Francine will be hosting an event at the 92nd Street Y for all the coffee lovers out there! Here is some information on the fun lecture from Francine herself: 


Starbucks move over! At this talk & tasting we'll get to taste many different kinds of coffee & coffee drinks popular in Italy, including the best iced coffee you've ever tried. You will learn to brew the perfect cup, cook with coffee, make your own coffee liqueur & more. We will also enjoy some yummy treats to pair with coffee.
I'll explain how & when Italians drink coffee and why its so different here in the States. We'll do a guided tasting (like a wine tasting, but you don't have to spit:)) so that you can become a sort of coffee sommelier!



For the Love of Italian Coffee
Tuesday, September 24
7 - 8:30 PM

Taste several different coffees and interesting coffee drinks as you learn about coffee's origins, espresso history, how to make a perfect cup of brew, how to cook with coffee & much more in this fast paced fun class.

Discover why Lavazza is one of Italy's most renowned coffee makers as you taste a variety of coffee blends.






Francine Segan 

Info from the 92nd St Y website: 

Tea 
Tuesday September 24 
7-8:30 PM 

Delve into the secrets of the Italian coffee roasters, with their skill, experience and sensitive palates.

Learn about coffee’s origins, espresso history, how to make a perfect cup of brew and how to cook with coffee in this fast-paced, fun class. Discover why Lavazza is one of Italy’s most renowned coffee makers as you taste a variety of coffee blends. Leave with a complimentary pound of Lavazza coffee!
Register Here 

92nd St Y 
Lexington Ave and 92nd St., NYC
Through the breadth and depth of 92Y's extraordinary programs, we enrich lives, create community and elevate humanity. More than 300,000 people visit 92Y’s New York City venues annually, and millions more join us through the Internet, satellite broadcasts and other digital media. A proudly Jewish organization since its founding in 1874, 92Y embraces its heritage and enthusiastically welcomes people of all backgrounds and perspectives.
Today's Words of Wisdom: “I'd rather take coffee than compliments just now.” 
― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women


*Disclaimer: There has been no monetary compensation for posting this content. Brands mentioned are not affiliates or sponsors of this blog post. The opinions expressed are completely my own based on my experiences.



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