1) Become a smoker (of food things, of course). Our latest venture: Indoors Pan-Smoked Salmon.

2) Give more parties. A gathering of more than 8 where wine is spilled, people are flowing freely, glasses are left all around, and crumbs are everywhere. It’s a feeling of half-horror and half-excitement.

3) Revive the family kitchen. Enlist all to help and let cooking become an integral part of the meal. Less stress, more fun.

4) Bake bread. Such a mystery and so intimidating, but everyone should know how to bake at least one kind. This is a much-lauded no-knead version from Sullivan Street Bakery in NYC - it uses no special ingredients, equipment or techniques.

5) Don’t be afraid to experiment and relish in a few bad meals; choose to see it as a source of amusement.

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