It seems like the overworked meteorologists at the Weather Channel have been busy predicting Nor'easters with a furious frequency. And what's better than a hearty pot of stew to right the wrongs of a wet, treacherous slog home from work? Aside from being filled with slow-cooked, nutritious and filling ingredients, stews and one-pot meals have a soothing, warming effect that taste like Mom has been busy in the kitchen.
Yes - wine is integral to making this dish right. And slow cooking a couple cups from your favorite bottle of red with seared beef, onions and carrots imparts an unreal depth of flavor. My Japanese mother taught me the basics of patience while making this French classic. The six-year-old me always had a tough time waiting for this perfect winter antidote to be ready for the dinner table.
Total Cooking Time: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
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There's nothing wrong with cooking healthy for you and your family. And as long as you don't skimp on the flavor, no one will be the wiser. The spice mixture from this chili packs a punch, and the texture may even fool your significant other into thinking the shredded chicken is pulled pork!
Total Cooking Time: 45 Minutes
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Trying to shrug off the fact that the MTA bus splashed you with a bone-chilling combination of slush, dead leaves and you-don't-wanna-know-what-else while you scraped your car windshield is a little easier with a bowl of this herbaceous seafood stew. It tastes like a beach vacation to Portugal in July.
Total Cooking Time: 50 Minutes
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Make a simple roux, or pop down to the Asian market and pick up a pre-packaged version for this dead simple Japanese one-pot meal. The chicken, veggies and creamy sauce always remind me of a chicken-pot-pie without the crust getting in the way. It's Japanese winter comfort food.
Total Cooking Time: 50 Minutes
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"Beef and beer? Uh... Yes please." That's the reaction you can expect from your frozen significant other when they hobble through the door a few minutes shy of getting frostbite, and asks what that amazing smell is. "Well, can we eat it now?" usually comes next.
Total Cooking Time: 1 Hour 55 Minutes
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What sets this Japanese beef stew apart from its' American counterpart is the salty sweetness brought on by judicious use of soy, sake and sugar - and the thinness of the beef. Pro tip: to make your life easier, place the beef in the freezer for 10 minutes before slicing.
Total Cooking Time: 55 Minutes
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