P . 22 | APRIL 2022 | THE HAMMONTONIAN
Cooking with the cannoli queen
QUEEN , from P . 21 ter , answering a question from Ava , checking on the oven and answering a reporter ’ s questions . On her kitchen counter is a small stack of sheet pans , each lined and ready to be used . It is obvious from the organization that a professional chef uses this kitchen . From the noise and décor , it is obvious that this room is the heart of a home .
Dinner is served , then a giant salad ( sometimes with homemade Caesar dressing ) followed by a homemade dessert .
This busy mother shops three times a week . She said she frequents Bagliani ’ s Market , ShopRite , Trader Joe ’ s and Sam ’ s Club .
She packs lunch for her husband daily . Albert Tomasello shows off the large reusable container that his wife fills for him . A large salad with chicken cutlets ( that he prefers double well-done ) is one of his favorites .
Her daughters have their favorites . Amelia loves her mother ’ s blueberry pancakes with syrup . Ava loves her mother ’ s lemon chicken , teriyaki chicken , pasta & peas , lasagna and the food her mother cooks for the holidays .
Because of her training , her go-to meals come from a variety of cultures .
“ We do a lot of Mexican . My kids love Japanese ,” Gaby said .
She has been known to have buildyour-own taco bars featuring her own homemade chipotle sauce . Her friends , family and employees know there is an open-door policy and no RSVPs are required .
“ I love company . I love watching people eat my food . I love when their bellies are full . And then I want to feed them more ,” Tomasello said .
Her home is filled on the major holidays , football Sundays and sometimes , just because , for a family cook-out . And guests are often handed a to-go container to fill .
Tomasello ’ s daughters sometimes help in the kitchen . Ava said she helps crack the eggs or help stuff pasta shells for dinner .
There are chefs she admires — Lydia Bastianich , Giada DeLaurentis , Bobby Flay and Ina Garten to name a few .
For those who are looking to become better home cooks , Tomasello recommends investing in “ good knives .” When she goes to a party at a friend ’ s home , she often brings her own knives to help out in the kitchen .
Tomasello is a busy mom and professional woman . From taking her kids to school , to ruling her cannoli empire and caring for those she loves , Gaby is always on the move .
“ You need to work for what you want ,” Tomasello said .
GABRIELLA MANNINO TOMASELLO WITH DAUGHTERS AVA AND AMELIA
GABY ’ S BAKED APPLES
4 medium unpeeled Braeburn apples , cored 10 teaspoons butter or margarine 1 / 2 cup packed brown sugar 2 cups granola 1 / 2 cup of roasted almonds 1 / 2 cup of Orange Juice Splash of Jameson ( optional ) 2 teaspoons Vanilla , divided 1 teaspoon Cinnamon Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream .
Core and half apples . Coat the bottom of a 8x12 baking dish with orange juice to prevent burning . Place apples in the bottom of the dish , cut side up . In a bowl , mix brown sugar , butter , vanilla and granola . Top apples with mixture . Splash vanilla , raisins and cinnamon on top . Add whiskey ( optional ). Bake covered in a preheated 350 F oven for 40 minutes or until apples are softened . Uncover halfway through . Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream or both .