12 biga 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.

Polish bigos (hunter's stew) with beef, smoked pork, spareribs, kielbasa, bacon, and sauerkraut. The national dish of Poland, slow simmered, feeds sixteen.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.