Chef Mario Batali's Culinary Road Trip

Mario understands that the moms of the world don't have a lot of time to cook or the energy to think of new ideas each and every night. "It's a real serious job, and to keep the kids interested in healthy food is a big thing in America," he says.

Two busy moms, Monique and Maria, are joining Mario via Skype™ from their home kitchens in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Orlando, Florida, to cook with Mario as he prepares a quick and easy meal. Monique and Maria follow along as Mario cooks Asparagus Alla Plancha, which Mario says means skillet-cooked asparagus, and Flamenquines, a Spanish pork dish.

Flamenquines are pork chops with a little surprise inside—more pork! Mario uses jamon serrano, but he says you can use prosciutto or whatever you have. "You can put country ham, you can put anything you want in it," he says. "The idea is just to make sure that, in addition to the pork chop, there's a little more pork inside."

Get the full recipe for Asparagus Alla Plancha and Flamenquines.