This one has the tag line, “I hope it’s enough,” as he so gingerly puts the finishing touches on an antipasto display the size of Antarctica. I am not going to get into cultural culinary differences here, because we all know what Mr. Italy’s daughter thinks of Italian cooking.  However, if you come from an Italian home, Dom’s reaction to his 13 square foot creation is not so far from the truth. My kids bust on me all the time about how much I over-order and overcook. You would think I was born in the depression era, the way I worry about quantity vs. consumption. They say I could volunteer for the Red Cross in the care package department, and nobody would need to donate anything for the next fifty years.  I cook, deliberately, diligently, and deliciously Monday-Thursday. The kitchen is closed on the weekend, giving time for GrubHub to take over. I find cooking to be a catharsis, a creative revelation of sorts, and even though there are some freeloaders in my house, namely my kids, who scoff at the non-traditional, unboxed anti-Hamburger Helper meals I prepare, there are a few who appreciate it. My mother cooked every night, and I was notorious for not paying attention to any of it. Little did I know, the inner Julia Child who was beckoning from the innards of my intestines to come out would make an appearance when I had children, and I love her for that. try to keep weeknights simple, and about 90% prepared before I leave for pick up. Here I will throw at you my weekly favorite recipe, how to prepare, and how to shop and get it done so it doesn’t encumber (or en-cucumber, lol) your day, or even more so, your incredibly busy afternoon. Foodnetwork.com is a great source of quick, fun and tantalizing recipes to satisfy, possibly ¾ of your household. The other ¼ can dig out a leftover or too … remember my rule … my kitchen is just like a tiny mamma and papa trattoria in Tuscany … the food is delicious but there is one daily offering. If you don’t like it … well … sorry, Charlie … only the best tasting tuna gets to be StarKist.  SOL ... get acquainted with the fridge.
 
So, grab your wooden spoons, your whisks, your colanders, and your apron, and you can do this…I promise.
Even if you hate cooking, I will make you become a Dom DeLuise overnight.  Buon appetito.