Golden, crispy beer batter softshell crabs fried to perfection. The batter rests to thicken before frying, giving each crab a crunchy shell with tender, sweet meat inside.
Saffron-infused rice tossed with smoky chorizo, sweet peppers, and fresh coriander. This crowd-sized paella salad feeds 12 and travels beautifully to potlucks and cookouts.
A make-ahead beef roast with a caper sauce. Thinly sliced and arranged on a plate or cubed and served as an appetizer.
Chicken enchiladas smothered in a homemade green mole made from roasted poblanos, almonds, cilantro, and cream. Stuffed with rice, two cheeses, and sour cream for a Mexican dinner worth the effort.
Texas-style beef chili with cubed meat, toasted whole cumin, and six tablespoons of chili powder. No beans, no tomatoes, just beef, spice, and a slow 90-minute simmer.
Crispy bread-cup croustades filled with baby shrimp in a Swiss cheese sauce with lemon zest and Worcestershire. Makes 3 to 4 dozen freezer-friendly party bites.
Hearty no-bean beef chili built on 3 pounds of stewing beef, half a cup of chili powder, masa harina for body, and a secret weapon: a dash of Peychaud's bitters and nutmeg at the finish.
Hamburger Pacific is a retro ground beef casserole layered with mushrooms, creamed corn, cream of tomato soup, chop suey vegetables, and egg noodles. Comfort food with an Asian twist.
Chicken and potato bake layers sliced potatoes around a creamy mozzarella-bechamel chicken filling brightened with lemon and chopped chestnuts, then bakes it golden and bubbling. A comforting layered casserole.
Prime rib roasted in a rock salt crust that seals in every drop of juice, producing fork-tender, deeply seasoned meat. A showstopping Old English technique you crack open with a hammer.
Old-fashioned fish chowder with cod, russet potatoes, onions, and thyme simmered in milk. A creamy, no-cream New England-style soup that lets the fish shine.
Toasted bread rounds topped with melted ham and cheddar, a dab of mango chutney, Parmesan, and a hit of paprika. Broiled until bubbly. A sweet-savory party appetizer ready in 15 minutes.
A dump-and-go slow cooker beef stew with tender chunks of stewing beef, potatoes, and carrots in a savory soy sauce and tomato broth. Just 15 minutes of prep, then let the crockpot do the work.
North: Moghul Beef Kheema Curry with Corn (Makkai Kheema) recipe
Hungarian potatoes simmer eggplant, red bell pepper, mushrooms, and tender potatoes in a paprika-spiked tomato sauce. A hearty meatless one-pot main with deep, smoky-sweet flavor.
Chicken goulash with ground chicken breast, paprika, tomato sauce, Worcestershire, and brown sugar over egg noodles. A lighter take on classic goulash ready in 35 minutes.