"Good behavior has its rewards," she teases. He can have this nice yellow pepper to deal with; she'll keep half an eye on how he does deseeding it while handling the tuna. It doesn't cook long on either side before she puts it on a plate to rest under some plastic wrap. The pan stays on the heat; a quick mincing gets some shallot and garlic ready to go in with a drizzle of the marinade and a little bit of butter. Those can caramelize while the bread finishes toasting.

"Have you ever made panzanella before?" She'll start gathering herbs from the little garden in the kitchen windows, giving them a quick rinse in the sink and toweling them off before mincing them with her double-blade mezzaluna. Mostly basil, but some oregano and cilantro too. "I like to make it for Matt for his lunches at work. His partner gets so jealous sometimes, I think I should just start sending lunch for all three of them."