Dinner for eight in the blink of an eye

The trouble with a largish family (five sons) is that you never know how many people you are making dinner for. So I usually make a huge amount and figure it will get eaten sooner or later. So,

Roast Chicken

2 pieces of chicken per person, I counted a leg and thigh for each adult. Put it in a pan with chopped garlic and sage sprinkled on top. Peel 12 potatoes, cut them into 2 inch cubes and place them around and under chicken. Liberally cover with olive oil. Put in a hot (400) oven for 90 minutes.

Penne al pomodoro

One jar passata di pomodoro
three cloves garlic
good extra virgin olive oil

Squeeze the garlic into a shallow pan or terracotta pot, add two tablespoons olive oil, and the passata. Put the lid on and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.

Boil at least 3 liters of water with a handful of salt in a large pan. When it is boiling, add 500 g penne and cook for about 10 minutes or until "al dente". Drain, smother in oil and add sauce.

Insalata

One head romaine, one box baby arugula, one head fennel, one clove garlic, chop everything into a salad bowl, dress with olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper.

As the boys arrive home, at least five of us are at the table but unfortunately by the time a friend showed up the chicken was gone. The meal was washed down with moderate amounts of a good red wine.

Serotonin

Much has been made of the hormonal basis for everything we humans achieve (or don't). In the Time magazine I just read, a total of eight pages were devoted to anti-depressant medication, which is understood to target deficiencies in various chemicals in our brains.

A wonderful antidote to the winter blues is a good dose of good food. And I don't mean a huge dose of sweet and sticky feed, I mean a modest portion of excellent food, a glass of wine, and good company. Because these few things will get your hormones rising, and will produce that lovely sense of fullness, satisfaction, and general contentment with the world that you feel after a meal with friends.

Those friends can also be a good book, don't get me wrong. I'm not limiting a happy meal to those of us with constant companionship.

But the meal my husband made on Sunday night was magnificent, and the hormones were definitely flowing.

Fettucine ai Fungi; Chicken Schnitzel; Tossed Salad; Fruit Salad ... and Irish Coffee to top it all off.