Main Dish Recipes

Country baked beans slow-cooked from dried beans with molasses, salt pork, dry mustard, and clove-studded onions. A from-scratch crockpot recipe with deep, smoky-sweet flavor.

Pan-seared lemon pepper tuna steaks with a quick Dijon-lemon pan sauce and fresh chives. Ready in under 15 minutes with a pink, seared center.

Spiced parsnip and potato pie: a cumin-spiced lentil and vegetable base under a creamy parsnip-potato mash topped with Cheddar. A hearty, meat-free take on shepherd's pie.

Classic Beef Burgundy braised with red wine, sliced mushrooms, and onions in a rich, herb-flecked sauce. Tender cubes of round steak simmered low and slow, served over egg noodles.

Kale and leek pie with poached fish in bechamel sauce, cheddar, and Parmesan baked in a pie shell. A savory British-style fish pie with greens.

Vegetarian chili pie topped with a thick cornmeal crust, loaded with kidney beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, and cumin. A hearty, meat-free weeknight dinner baked in one pan.

Pressure cooker chop suey chow mein: a retro Chinese-American pork stew with celery, onion, mushrooms, and mixed Chinese vegetables. Sweet with molasses, savory with soy, ready in under an hour.

Philly-style white pizza loaded with shaved roast beef, sauteed onions, peppers, and mushrooms over garlic-brushed bread dough. No tomato sauce, just melty cheese and cheesesteak energy.

Country Cork Irish stew with lamb rib chops, cabbage, leeks, potatoes, and peas simmered with a bouquet garni of thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. A hearty one-pot supper from County Cork.

Deep fried whole turkey injected with a buttery Cajun-style marinade of garlic, onion, Worcestershire, taco sauce, and white wine. Crackling skin, juicy meat, bold Southern flavor in every bite.

Cocktail seafood Swiss quiche bakes crab and shrimp into a creamy custard of eggs, milk, mayonnaise, and nutty Swiss cheese. A make-ahead party slice that cuts cleanly into bite-size cocktail wedges.

Ground beef noodle casserole with cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and corn. A classic comfort food one-dish dinner that feeds a family with pantry staples.

Traditional Mexican posole with pork loin, pork rinds, pork shanks, dried hominy, red chili pods, and oregano. A rich, hearty stew simmered low and slow for hours.

Seared beef tenderloin steaks over Champ with broiled spring vegetables and a glossy red wine butter sauce. A restaurant-worthy plated dinner you can prep ahead.

This is as good as any Italian sandwich I have eaten in Chicago! Even my grandkids loved it! PK

Fruit pizza with a sugar cookie crust, sweetened cream cheese layer, fresh peaches, strawberries, and blueberries glazed with orange marmalade. A colorful no-fuss summer dessert.