Every Super Bowl, I do different food each quarter from each of the hometowns of the teams competing. So I’m always hoping for cities with a gastronomic soul—not so much Indianapolis or Denver, right? For halftime we have New York hot dogs from Papaya Dog. And at the end of the game I’ve chosen a dessert based on who I think is going to win.

My kids and I make pasta three days a week now. It's not even so much about the eating of it; they just like the process. Benno is the stuffer, and Leo is the catcher. They've got their jobs down.

Any simple but delicious dish that celebrates the season and locality is what I want to be known for.

When I was in college, I used to write little ditties and short stories and poetry for my friends. Writing a book is another thing. It is so much different from my traditional day of dirty fingernails and greasy hair and hot pans.

I put hibiscus flower in every cup of tea I have. It's sweet, sexy, and cleansing.

I don't put cream in any pasta noodles ever. I would use a little butter, but I don't ever use cream.

Unlike curing cancer or heart disease, we already know how to beat hunger: food.