MY BEST ITALIAN SUB

Judy and I took Lily to the Gondolier Italian Restaurant, in Midtown, TN, last Monday for lunch. She had a great time dipping her fresh baked roll in the delicious marinara sauce. I think it was her first time at trying that trick, and I think it caught on.

I say all this because, while Lily had children's pizza, Judy and I shared one of the best Italian Subs we've had in some time. It was seasoned with Italian dressing and just hit the spot.

So, after a little driving tour of the surrounding country side Wednesday, we had to make a stop at the grocery for staples. While there Judy asked me what I wanted for supper, and I still had that sub in my mind, and probably a little taste in my mouth as well!

She was ecstatic when I told her what was on my mind, and she pressed me to put one together just as good.

I bought a fresh loaf of sourdough Italian bread, some honey baked ham and turkey, a red onion, an orange bell pepper, some provolone cheese, an Italian green long pepper, a tomato, and a bottle of Italian dressing. I knew I had some pepperoni in the fridge, so I was set!

At home I prepared the vegetables by slicing them thinly, and opened the luncheon meat and salad dressing.

I then split the loaf in half, sprinkled it with olive oil, and toasted it. I then removed the bread and put the provolone on one side and the cold pepperoni on the other side. I put it all back into the oven until the cheese melted and pepperoni bubbled!

I pulled the bread from the oven and liberally spread on the onions, peppers, and meat. I then sprinkled the salad dressing over everything and closed the bread. I cut the bread, on an angle, into 4 generous pieces.

It was better than we had on Monday and we had the left over pieces you see in the photo today! It was still delicious after a light microwave touch and more dressing!

Of course, the Fat Tire I had created a wonderful battle of taste sensations in my mouth.

Darn...now I'm hungry again!

FIRST RIDE IN THE GONDOLIER

Ms. Mushy and I took our first ride in the Gondolier Restaurant today. It hasn’t been open that long, but the county has been needing something like this for some time. There are a couple of other in nearby cities, but to have one in Midtown, Tennessee is just too tempting.

- I tried the “House Special Pizza” - Cheese, beef, pepperoni, ham, sausage, mushrooms, green peppers & onions.

- While she tried the “Baked Cannelloni” - Noodles stuffed with fresh ground beef, ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheese, lightly seasoned and baked with our homemade meat sauce and topped with mozzarella cheese.

My only compliant is that they only have domestic beer on draft. My taste runs a little darker, so the Bud and Bud Light tasted like water.