11 rob recipes

Slow cooker veggie chili layers black beans, corn, peppers and crushed tomatoes with spices bloomed in oil first, then simmers all day. A hearty, high-fiber vegetarian chili that's nearly hands-off.

A glazed Christmas ham brushed with apricot-sherry glaze, warmed with cinnamon and star anise, and crusted in brown sugar, served with a crisp, fresh fennel coleslaw in a herby yogurt dressing. A festive feast pairing.

Healthy chicken fajitas with poached and seared chicken breast, colorful bell peppers, homemade pinto beans, and fresh tomato salsa. A complete from-scratch Tex-Mex dinner.

Nothing is better than a bowl of warm chili in a cold day. It's cozy and warm you up.

Bob's favorite oatmeal cookies bake up tender and golden with cinnamon, nutmeg, and quick oats. No raisins or chips, just clean oat-spice flavor in classic drop-cookie form.

Cold weather chili simmers ground beef with sweet red peppers, plum tomatoes, kidney beans, and chunky picante salsa. A long-cooked, layered chili built for snowy nights when nothing else will do.

Beanless ground beef chili spiked with cocoa powder and cinnamon for a rich, earthy depth. Thickened with masa harina and loaded with cumin, oregano, and five tablespoons of chili powder.

Shepherd's pie made with seasoned ground beef in tomato sauce, mixed vegetables, herbs, and a firm mashed potato lid finished with paprika. Classic British comfort casserole.

Beef barley soup made from braised short ribs, canned tomatoes, pearl barley, and a load of carrots, celery, and bell pepper. The ribs simmer first to render rich beef flavor before the vegetables and barley go in.

Venison kabobs marinate cubed deer meat in soy sauce, ginger, dry mustard, and garlic, then grill with onions, jalapeños, and bell pepper. Big-batch hunter's BBQ.

This is an authentic family recipe that my mother taught me in 1950 in New Orleans. It makes a great dinner party main dish. Like chinese food, it is long on chopping and assembling, but goes together and cooks rather quickly.