16 Slow-Cooking Recipes for a Slow Weekend

There are the nights when dinner can't come fast enough—when we need a hot meal on the table in less time than it takes to watch an episode of TV in our pajamas (and when we proceed to watch 5 episodes after that). On such nights, we pat ourselves on the back for the fact that we cooked at all.

And then there are the long autumn and winter days that turn to night far too quickly, when we'll jump at any excuse to stay indoors. Puttering lends itself to projects, and that's where these meals come in. Thirty-minute meals these are not, though we promise they're not fussy. While the former sizzle and boil, these prefer to cook slowly—simmering on the backburner or braising until they're fall-apart tender—and leave you to your own devices whilst you knit socks, add kindling to the fire, and do other things that putterers do.

Here are 16 of our favorite slow-cooking meals to make on slow weekend afternoons:

Jamie Oliver's Chicken in Milk by Genius Recipes

Secret Ingredient Beef Stew by SmallKitchCara

Spicy Sesame Pork Soup with Noodles by gingerroot

Roy Finamore's Broccoli Cooked Forever by Genius Recipes

Dan Barber's Braised Short Ribs by Amanda Hesser

Slow-Cooked Tuscan Kale with Pancetta, Bread Crumbs, and a Poached Egg by Alexandra Stafford

Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Soup by foxeslovelemons

Pavo En Kol Indio by aargersi

Sweet and Savory Overnight Roast Pork by Merrill Stubbs

Warming Red Pozole by monkeymom

Betty Wason's Basic Pot Roast by Genius Recipes

Lablabi (Middle Eastern Spicy Chickpea Stew) by creamtea

Diana Kennedy's Carnitas by Genius Recipes

Short Rib Chili by lastnightsdinner

Matilda, Maple & Garlic Pork Shoulder with Crispy Skin by ENunn

Marcella Hazan's Rice and Smothered Cabbage Soup by Genius Recipes

What's the one meal you'll labor over all day—just because it's so good? Tell us in the comments.