172 big big recipes

Big, soft raisin-oatmeal cookies with peanut butter for tender chew, dark brown sugar for moisture, and a whisper of mace that sets these apart from every other oat cookie. Quarter-cup scoops, no flour required.

Big-batch red lentil soup spiced with cumin, coriander, jalapeño, and oregano, finished with cilantro and a tangy lime cream. Makes enough to eat now and freeze two-thirds for later.

Pit-master style Brunswick stew with smoked pulled pork, roasted chicken, okra, lima beans, and corn simmered in homemade stock. Low and slow for hours, packed with smoky, tangy heat.

Egg-free lemon muffins made with silken tofu, applesauce, whole wheat flour, and wheat germ. Bright lemon zest and a cinnamon dusting on top. Makes 24 wholesome muffins in 30 minutes.

This fiery Cajun chicken pasta smothers spaghetti in a spicy triple-pepper tomato sauce loaded with butter-sautéed chicken. A bold Louisiana-style feast for heat lovers.

Bakery-sized oatmeal cookies loaded with chopped dates, walnuts, coconut, and sesame seeds, spiced with cinnamon, allspice, and almond extract. Crisp edges, chewy centers.

Brown bag French apple pie: a cinnamon-spiced apple pie with a buttery streusel top, baked inside a paper bag that traps steam for meltingly tender apples and a crisp, golden crumb. No top crust needed.

Puccia, traditional Italian olive-studded bread rolls from Puglia made with biga starter and whole wheat flour. Crusty, airy rolls with a long rise for deep flavor.

Puccia, traditional olive-studded rolls from Puglia with a crackling crust and open, airy crumb. Built on a slow biga preferment with whole wheat flour and chopped olives folded through every loaf.

Casareccio is a rustic Italian wholewheat bread made with biga starter, yielding 3 crusty loaves with a chewy crumb. Fold in walnuts, pistachios, or black olives for your own twist.

Mim's cabbage rolls stuffed with ground beef, rice, eggs, and nutmeg, baked in a sweet-and-sour tomato sauce with brown sugar and lemon juice. A freezer-friendly family recipe with Eastern European roots.

Cucuzzara is a rustic Sicilian squash bread loaded with sauteed butternut squash, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, and onions, baked into golden durum flour loaves. Makes 4 hearty loaves.

Rustic Italian yeast bread made with durum semolina flour and loaded with sautéed butternut squash, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, and onions. Uses a biga starter for deep flavor and makes four golden loaves.

An easy yet tasty way to prepare brussels sprouts. Pancetta, pine nuts and raisins all compliment the flavor of brussels sprouts. Oven-roasting develops great flavor and texture. A delicious side dish that goes well with any main course.

Tasty and nutritious. This big pot of stew will warm up your whole family and provides both delicious flavor and health benefits.

Classic cowgirl cookies: hearty oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with rolled oats, brown sugar, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Big-batch recipe makes 4 dozen.