Dutch Oven

With this dish you can turn an inexpensive, underutilized cut of beef into a succulent, tender, soul-satisfying stew; once it’s in the oven, you need do nothing but enjoy the amazing aromas that fill your house. (Do plan your time accordingly, though, as it spends at least five hours in the oven.) This dish, like any stew, is best made a day ahead but is fine served the same day. It’s great served atop soft polenta or horseradish-spiked mashed potatoes. Leftovers make a wonderful rustic pasta sauce, as well. A large Dutch oven is best for making this, but a wide-bottomed stock pot with a tight-fitting lid works, too. Just make sure it fits in your oven!

This is a great basic recipe that allows for interchangeable veggies. You can use any combination of root veggies, including rutabagas, turnips, or different potatoes. The cream adds a nice richness and velvety texture, but you can get a similar effect without the cream if you use a rich, creamy potato like a yellow finn or German butterball. And when it’s available, spring green garlic is a great substitute for the regular garlic for an added burst of flavor.

This dish comes straight from my mom, who made it nearly every Friday during Lent. It’s hearty and savory, and the rice and lentils together make it a perfect vegetarian protein. The burnt onion garnish is key; it adds depth and richness to the overall effect. Mom often served this with a rustic tomato, cucumber, and red onion salsa seasoned with lemon and mint, which lend acidity, texture, and fresh flavors to the plate.

Dried beans are an inexpensive alternative to canned—once cooked, they also have a better texture and far less sodium. Here the beans are simmered with beets, which infuses them with color and flavor.

Chili powder, chocolate, and cumin are often combined in Tex-Mex cooking, and this turkey chili stays true to those roots. The recipe makes a large yield, so you can serve some chili right away, then freeze the rest to enjoy later.

Using only one of the the Thyme-Roasted Chickens with Potatoes (page 166) will leave you with an extra cooked bird (about four cups shredded or cut-up meat) to incorporate into one of these recipes. Of course, you can also make either of these dishes (page 169) with store-bought rotisserie chicken.

Thighs are the best cut for braising, as they become very tender when simmered for a long period. This dish is even better the next day, once the flavors have had a chance to meld.

Brimming with peas and carrots and topped with fresh-dill dumplings, this nourishing one-pot meal is just right for cold evenings. Keeping the heat at medium-low helps the chicken cook slowly, so it turns out ultra-tender.

Serve this rich, velvety dip with crostini (page 365), breadsticks, or crackers. Or try it as a delectable accompaniment for roast chicken or pork.

This tangy relish is very versatile; try it as a spur-of-the-moment starter with crostini (page 365), or as a quick pasta sauce or sandwich spread. It can also be spooned over broiled white fish, such as flounder or tilapia.

MAKE THIS RICH DISH ON A WINTER’S NIGHT, and for six hours your house will be filled with the wonderful aroma of slow-cooked pork. The longer and slower you cook it, the better it is. The pork has several layers of flavor, including deep orange from the fresh orange juice and marmalade, a kick from the chili powder, and a vinegar tang from the olives. Serve the pork as a pulled-pork sandwich, spooned over Parsnip-Herb Biscuits (page 247), over pasta, or with steamed potatoes.

THIS RICH LAMB STEW is perfect for cold winter nights. It leaves out the traditional potato in favor of mushrooms and oregano, which provide a wonderful earthy flavor. A final twist comes in the addition of soy sauce, which intensifies the taste of this satisfying dish.

WHY IT’S LIGHT Packed with seasonal vegetables, this soup needs little added fat—just two tablespoons olive oil—and just a half cup orzo to feel hearty. The soup freezes well, so you may want to double the recipe and save a batch to eat during cooler months.

SMART SUBSTITUTION This seemingly rich summer chowder leaves out the cream; instead, it’s thickened with the starch from a russet potato as well as some flour, and just one cup of milk.

GOOD TO KNOW Briefly sautéing the rice before adding the broth gives it a nutty flavor. Near-constant stirring as the rice cooks releases its starches, helping the dish become creamy. Here, just two slices of bacon add ample richness, so no butter or oil is needed.

WHY IT’S LIGHT A brothy base, lean, mild white fish, and only one tablespoon olive oil keep this dish healthier than heavier seafood stews and chowders. Drizzle just a little extra olive oil over each serving to make the most of the oil’s fruity flavor.

WHY IT’S LIGHT Naturally lean beans and extra vegetables make this a smarter choice than meat-heavy chili. For a creamy garnish, try a dollop of plain low-fat Greek yogurt rather than sour cream.

FLAVOR BOOSTER The first step in this recipe is about building flavors, so don’t try to rush it. Similarly, don’t skimp on the handful of chopped parsley added at the end—more than just a garnish, the herb helps brighten and define the other ingredients.

WHY IT’S LIGHT Risotto’s little secret: It’s usually enriched with ample butter at the end. But one bite of this version, which contains just one tablespoon butter, shows how delectable the dish can be without all the extra fat and calories. And rather than adding the squash at the end of cooking, per the usual method, you cook it along with the rice, so it contributes creaminess and sweetness to the final outcome.

GOOD TO KNOW Soaking pearl and cipollini onions in warm water for just ten minutes makes their thin, tight skin easier to remove. After soaking, simply cut off the root end and peel back the skin. If you can’t find pearl or cipollini onions, you can substitute one large or two small yellow onions, each cut into eight wedges.