Recipes with bay leaves

Beefy spaghetti soup loaded with ground beef, broken spaghetti, green beans, and mushrooms in a rich tomato-beef broth. A warm, filling one-dish soup made entirely in the microwave.

Polish hunter's stew (bigos) with sauerkraut, kielbasa, beef, bacon, mushrooms, apple, and tomatoes slow-simmered and served over dilled steamed potatoes.

Sylvia's stuffing lives up to its name with cubed bread, cornbread, oats, and sunflower seeds soaked in butter, bacon drippings, and turkey giblet broth. Seasoned with an unexpected kick of chili powder alongside classic herbs.

Hearty fish soup loaded with haddock, cod, scallops, shrimp, and clams in a tomato broth with garlic, oregano, and bay leaves. A cioppino-style seafood stew.

Pork chili with artichoke hearts and white beans: a Mediterranean-leaning chili with cumin, oregano, white wine, and roma tomatoes. Lemon juice and cilantro hit at the end for brightness.

Pot roast turkey breast simmered with pearl barley, thyme, bay leaves, and a clove-studded onion, served with buttered leeks and cream-enriched barley on a platter.

A simple and tasty side dish made with lentils and chopped celery and zucchini.

Oxtail is one of the most economical and most flavorful cuts of meat, and one that takes well to marinating for days in a hearty mixture of red wine, herbs, and vegetables. The longer you marinate the mixture, the more flavorful it will be, but be sure it marinates at least 3 days. Oxtail is also a fatty cut -- give yourself plenty of time to allow the stew to cook and then cool, so all the fat can be skimmed off. Serve this with thick noodles in warmed soup bowls, accompanied by a tossed salad, and of course, a robust red wine.

Friday night pot roast marinated overnight in red wine, apple juice, and aromatics, then braised low and slow for 4 hours. A make-ahead roast with a reduced wine sauce, served chilled and reheated.

Loaded Vegetable, Lima Bean and Fennel Stew recipe

A slow-simmered lamb chili with black beans, fresh ginger, allspice, and Zinfandel wine. Beans cook with lamb bones for deep flavor. Best made a day ahead for the richest taste.

A spiced oil made with carrots, sweet bell peppers and red pepper flakes that can really spice up pasta or steamed vegetables.

Discover an authentic Texas-style beef chuck chili recipe with toasted chilies and cocoa for rich flavor; easy no-beans homemade chili perfect for beginners, game day crowds, or cozy family dinners with gluten-free options and spicy variations.

Herb-rubbed beef brisket braised with chunky carrots, celery, and onions in tomato juice. Roasts to fork-tender in the oven with a thick, savory sauce. Feeds ten.

Garden-fresh vegetable soup with Roma tomatoes, new potatoes, corn cut from the cob, and a bouquet garni of oregano, parsley, and lemon zest. Ready in 30 minutes.

Syrian noodles with lentils is a hearty one-pot vegetarian stew of cumin and coriander-spiced lentils simmered until tender, then finished with broken vermicelli. High-fiber comfort food that feeds six for pennies.