Carmella’s Croutons

Made With Love in Carmella’s Kitchen

Cooking was more than a tradition in Carmella’s home.

It was the heart of the family and a connection to the community. Recipes were handed down through generations, and all dishes were made from scratch, from the pastas to the sauces. Even the croutons had to be prepared specially to be worthy of homemade soups. Carmella recently showed friends and neighbors at Blue Bell Place how the world’s best croutons are made.

First, Carmella shopped for all the best fresh ingredients. She felt right at home in the community’s kitchen and, when she started cooking, the aroma wafted downstairs to the lobby. Mouths started watering instantly. Carmella then individually bagged portions of croutons to hand out to anybody who wanted to top off their soup in the dining room.

Bella, who is Carmella’s daughter, says that this is typical of her mother. Cooking is a passion she’s always loved sharing.

“I learned to cook by watching my mother,” she says, “and she learned watching hers. It smelled heavenly when they were cooking.”

Everybody got into the act, too, according to Bella.

“The neighbors would gather in our house to make 40 or 50 pizzas on Tuesdays for bingo at the church. They would make 100 pizzas a week during Lent.”

Carmella’s rule is “Never buy a store-bought cake. Make your own.” Clearly, that goes for croutons, too.