#make-ahead

#make-ahead

Earthy, aromatic and deeply nourishing, this lentil and kale stew offers a welcome pause between the indulgent spreads of the holiday season and provides a moment of respite and warmth. Protein- and fiber-rich red lentils form the base of the stew, cooking quickly and softening into a rich, wholesome broth, while kale adds texture and green vitality. A medley of golden spices ginger, turmeric, coriander and cumin infuse each spoonful with gentle heat and immune-boosting nutrients.

We often braise chicken and rabbit legs at Cafe Cecilia, because all the preparation and cooking can be done ahead of time, and it's then just about heating them gently to serve. For Christmas, I often employ much the same process for turkey legs it's a lovely way to eat them. Serve with colcannon, although basmati rice, boiled new potatoes or roast carrots would also go great.

Your weeknight pasta routine might look like simply combining plain pasta with jarred tomato sauce, but even if it's a good one, this meal can get a bit tired after a while. Ksenia Prints of At the Immigrant's Table suggests waking things up by making a big batch of baked ziti pasta with high-quality fresh cheese and little garlicky bites of chicken, for an easy balanced meal that tastes surprising and familiar at the same time.

After the big meal, I want dinners that feel new, not "round two." This roundup is a mix of comfort and reset: soups with lift, crisp salads, stacked sandwiches, baked pastas, and a few total flavor pivots like curry, ramen, and taco night. I kept it practical - most recipes use pantry staples, welcome a handful of vegetables, and reheat well for lunches.

There is a reason that cooks have long reached for their cast-iron skillets when making cornbread. The dark, heavy metal gives the crust a wonderful color and a wonderful crispness on the outside. If you don't have a cast iron skillet, you can absolutely use any other heavy ovenproof pan. Just make sure it's about 12-inches in diameter and has sides that are at least 2-inches tall.

Not only is this a perfect veggie dish for Thanksgiving turkey dinner, but this unexpected combination is also tasty. It makes a wonderful fall or winter side dish with any meat. Make ahead and reheat in the microwave just before serving. Letting it sit overnight brings out the flavors. 2 large sweet potatoes 1/4 stick butter 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup olive oil 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 dash black pepper

If there's one fall tradition most Americans cherish, it's eating a big dinner on Thanksgiving. And if there's one thing cooks fear on Thanksgiving, it's having to make gravy on the spot with the drippings. This rich and silky make-ahead recipe made with turkey thighs takes the pressure off while offering the same flavors as a roast turkey. For a gluten-free version, mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 1/2 cup broth and slowly whisk into the remaining simmering broth, cooking until thickened.

I love that this recipe is both a fun snack and an actually nutritious food. The black-eyed peas, crunchy veggies, and zingy vinaigrette make a dip full of plant-based protein and fiber that also tastes absolutely delicious! This dip was invented in Texas in the 1940's (it's also called Cowboy caviar), and then spread all over the US. My spin on this party dip always has friends gathered around the bowl at our house and for good reason: it's just that tasty!

Zucchini Ricotta Roll Ups are a healthy, low carb meal that is easy to make and full of flavor. It's a great meatless main dish, or serve it as a side dish or starter course. This simple dish comes together quick and is a delicious low carb option. They are a great side dish to make during zucchini season. Plus, it's a great way to get kids to eat their veggies.

They're fancy names for comfort food that uses common slow-cooking processes producing scrumptious tidbits surrounded with sauce. The sauce, a velvety broth, is a mixture of natural juices and stewing ingredients, sometimes thickened with flour. It bathes each morsel of meat and vegetable in enticing flavor. To produce an authentic stew, first sear the meat on all sides, to a rich brown.

It includes fresh apples simmered on the stovetop with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and mixed spices, a smooth and tangy cream cheese filling, crispy digestive biscuits, and an indulgent drizzle of caramel sauce. All you have to do is layer the cream cheese mixture, apples, caramel, and biscuits in a loaf pan, let it set in the fridge for at least eight hours, and then turn out the cake and drizzle it with more caramel.

On the days you feel crummy, you won't have the energy to create any elixirs or health-supporting concoctions - which is all the more reason why you should act preemptively. You can prepare an immunity-boosting ginger shot to put back the next time a whisper of any illness strikes by following wellness coach, Miriam Hahn's recipe for ginger root wellness shots. The feel-good recipe requires only two ingredients and can be made ahead of time.

Nothing is more satisfying than a classic nostalgic treat, and an ice cream sandwich - that perfect concoction of soft fudgy cookies with gloriously melty vanilla ice cream oozing out the sides - might be up there among childhood favorites. When it's made from scratch, the basic ice cream sandwich we know and love goes from being good to being really special, and is a testament to the fact that homemade versions of staples that we grew up with are always worth the effort.

This recipe is a very popular one; it's unique and refreshing. I have made these little sandwich treasures for a rehearsal dinner, weddings, birthdays, funerals, and anniversaries. You don't need a special occasion. Chicken salad is great for the hot spring and summer days or any get-together. You can make these in advance. This is a very requested recipe. My recipe is an awesome twist on chicken salad.