I'm on a hunger strike.

I don't blame you, Mig! Last time you posted your dinner you got blasted! Everybody give up a group hug to Mama Mig so she will come back to the table! The pastafazool, mawtygawt and moozadell is getting cold! Mangiamo, Mama!

Well, I made veal saltimbocca over spinach with rice pilaf on the side. The veal was so tender, but I experimented and melted some mozzarella on top. I like it better plain.

SB - can you send some leftovers to Chicago?..If there are any!

Not a drop, Mark! But it was great while it lasted. Tell your son that when he gets home safely, I'll be happy to ship him some.

I didn't think so...it sounded too good! Thanks for the kind words about my son. He was always easy to please at dinner time - a four cheese pizza and Pepsi!

Young men are notoriously easy to please at dinner time!

I heard that! When he comes home on leave it is our new tradition to hit The Olive Garden on the way home from the airport! Everything is ordered with extra cheese - of course!

I will come out of my hunger strike to go to Olive Garden.

"Mama Mig, come on down!" Like my Nonna used to say; there's always room for one more!

I have never eaten at an Olive Garden. My mom did once, and she said it was awful, but maybe that was just one.

I know that I'm dying to try their soup, salad and breadsticks lunch.

You have to try it...you will not be disappointed. Not as good as Sunday dinner at grandma's but still a good substitute! Try the "Tour of Italy" for a full meal! My only critcism of their salad is that they tend to "drown" it with the oil and vinegar thus giving it a "soggy" taste vice "crunchy". Does that make sense?

Just let me know when.



It is very good. I love the breadsticks.

We just have so many great Italian restaurants near us, and so many great Italian cooks in our family, that I can't imagine going to Olive Garden.

Must be nice. I've said all along I live in the wrong state.

If there are no restaurants near you, buy an Italian cookbook and start learning. I've always held the belief that if you can read, you can cook.

I have several Italian cookbooks in pdf format. If interested, I can forward them to you. Just PM me an email address...don't worry, I'm not a spammer, sicko or psycho (I think?)

This cookbook is terrific. It has one of the best recipes for Vodka Sauce I've ever tasted - and it's easy to make. Everything in here is easy to prepare.

Thanks Mark, I'll Pm you my email addy.

BTW What's wrong with being a little psycho?

What do you use Vodka Sauce in?

It's a pasta sauce. You serve it over pasta.

Okay, Mig. I have most of the pdf's in my files at work so I will send them to you in the morning.

I'll have to try that. Next time I go to the book store I'll get it. Thanks SB.

Don't forget to send your email...

Just did.

Don't be confused Mark.

She didn't get blasted. She got teased.

We know Mama Mig very well and she knows that we love to tease her and would never look to intentionally hurt her feelings in any way whatsoever.

We tease each other because we have a relationship that we've developed through several strong years of friendship.

I do admire your coming to her defense though! Bravo!

I saw that you mentioned that your son is coming home on leave and that he wants Olive Garden. How much longer does he have in the service?

I ask about your son because I admire anyone who serves in the military.

Don't you live in New Jersey?

Delicious! One of my favorite Veal dishes.

But I am a bit confused SB. You say that you "experimented and melted mozzarella on top."

That's the only way that I've ever eaten it. Over spinach with the veal covered by a piece of prosciutto and a piece of mozzarella melted over it.

I've always made it with just prosciutto on top - no mozzarella. I didn't like it with the cheese as much.

Yeah the teasing is in all good fun. Just ask DC about the first time we met 4 years ago in NJ.

I know you guys were just teasing...sorry if I came across as a stick in the mud! Just tried to jump in the pile, too. Thanks for the kind words about my son, Don Cardi. I am truly humbled by all the support on this board. Blib is right - it is like a family. I am hoping my son decides to career it and stay in for 20 years. He went in the navy after college in 2006 and is a Interior Communications Technician Petty Officer. He is doing well and does a lot of things he cannot tell us...top secret stuff. Thank you, all. I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and moved 2 hours west of the city a few years ago. It's a nice place to raise kids. I have a beautiful wife and a great 16 year old daughter who looks just like her gorgeous mom - thank God! I get a great kick out of your guys posts...I laugh a lot! Hey, DC - what happened in Jersey?????