Main Dish recipe collection

Six pounds of cubed beef browned in suet, simmered in beef stock with a full cup of chili powder and crushed cumin seeds, thickened with masa harina. No tomatoes. No beans. This is Texas Red in its purest form.

Excellent recipe. The turkey comes out juicy and moist.

Stale bread simmers with Roma tomatoes, garlic, white wine, and marjoram in this hearty Italian peasant stew. Tiny pastina added at the end gives it body. Ready in 45 minutes.

This cake won me First Prize at the county fair last year. It is very chocolaty.

Build authentic mole from dried chilis, cocoa, almonds, and warm spices. This rich, velvety sauce clings to tender chicken with layers of smoky, bitter, and sweet complexity.

Flaked tuna and nutty Swiss cheese layered in a pie shell with green onions, then baked in a rich egg and mayo custard until set. This savory tuna quiche is hearty, simple, and feeds the family on pantry staples.

Spice-crusted seared ahi tuna with Chimayo chile, cumin, and fennel rolled into a bold crust and flash-seared rare. A 10-minute restaurant-quality appetizer you can slice paper-thin.

Lasagna noodles rolled around a broccoli, mushroom, and cottage cheese filling, baked in marinara sauce. A fun vegetarian twist on classic lasagna that looks as good as it tastes.

Layered vegetarian moussaka with sauteed eggplant, rich mushroom-tomato sauce with red wine, and creamy ricotta bechamel baked until golden. Greek comfort food, no lamb needed.

Louisiana-style grillades made with grilled venison simmered in a dark roux gravy loaded with the holy trinity, red wine, and three kinds of tomatoes. Serve it over creamy grits, cher.

Ring-shaped venison meatloaf glazed with brown sugar ketchup, topped with melted Monterey Jack, and served with buttery poppy seed noodles piled in the center.

Grilled venison marinated in a homemade teriyaki sauce with soy, ginger, and garlic. Cut it into steaks, strips, or bite-size pieces for a wild game twist on a Japanese classic.

Chili pizza loaded with sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, black olives, and melted longhorn cheddar on a crispy crust. A 30-minute mashup of two all-time comfort food favorites.

Layers of White Castle sliders, sliced zucchini, ricotta, and spaghetti sauce baked into a cheesy casserole. Served on garlic-toasted buns for a wild weeknight meal.

Competition-style smoked BBQ ribs with a bold paprika dry rub and tangy homemade sauce simmered with molasses and chili. Slow-smoked over hickory for 5 hours of fall-off-the-bone glory.

Marinated chicken thighs grilled over wood or charcoal, served with papaya-tomatillo salsa and julienned jicama. Bold Yucatan flavors with a smoky, charred finish.