Simply Laura

Hostess Laura Vitale makes a restaurant-quality meal to enjoy on a date night with her husband, Joe Vitale, in the Season 2 premiere. On the menu: a beautiful cut of beef and steakhouse-worthy sides, including green beans with herbed butter; crispy ribolitta and, for dessert, amaretto tiramisu for two.

Laura has only 15 minutes to cook each of her meals for the day. Included: eggs in purgatory fuel her morning workout; she makes a Portobello melt on seven-grain bread to bring to her husband and his co-workers; and dinner features scallops with wine.

Laura hosts a game night. On the menu: spicy steamed mussels; classic Italian antipasti; a lasagna made with short rib and béchamel; and, for dessert, a panna cotta layered with white chocolate and raspberry.

Local New Jersey veggies are used by Laura, when she makes a chili with butternut squash and black beans; a broccoli rabe pesto pasta; and roasted tomato tart.

The hunt for the perfect little black dress inspires Laura to make marinara sauce and accessorize it with dishes, including Italian pot roast.

Comforting one-pot meals are prepared by Laura for her cousin Kate and her husband, who are adjusting to life with a new baby. Oven-ready dishes include: veggie macaroni and cheese; Spanish chicken and rice; cannoli Bundt cake.

Laura Vitale creates an all-day breakfast menu, inspired by her childhood in Italy. She makes Creme Fraiche and Veggie Frittata, Smoked Salmon and Dill Quiche and a Breakfast Bruschetta Bar.

A day of shopping and pampering with girlfriends starts off for Laura in the kitchen, where she makes some finger foods, including coconut shrimp with sweet chili sauce; spinach-and-potato puffs; cheesecake brownies and sea salt caramel corn.