Cocoa chili is a slow-simmered [ground beef](/recipes/ground-beef) chili with unsweetened cocoa powder stirred into the spice base. The cocoa adds bittersweet depth without sweetness, amplifying chili powder, cumin, and tomato.
Grilled leg of lamb with currant-bell pepper chutney: red wine and curry-marinated lamb grilled over mesquite, served with a sweet-savory port and currant chutney.
Vegetable gumbo is a lighter, meatless take on the Cajun classic: the holy trinity simmered with okra, corn, tomatoes and paprika, thickened naturally by the okra. No roux, no meat, just hearty vegetable comfort.
Aubergine or Eggplant dip Serve with warm Pita or Lebanese bread
Vegetarian three-bean chili with black beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans, loaded with poblano peppers, cumin, and TVP for meaty texture. A big-batch vegan chili that feeds a crowd.
Mediterranean beef and okra stew: chuck simmered in a Dutch oven with onion, garlic paste, tomatoes, and whole okra pods. A rustic Balkan-style braise that cooks unattended.
Chicken enchiladas with two from-scratch sauces: a tangy green tomatillo-spinach sauce with sour cream or a smoky red ancho chile sauce. Topped with melted Monterey Jack.
Mushroom ketchup, a Victorian-era umami bomb of salted fresh mushrooms and dried boletus simmered with vinegar, warm spices and sherry. A shelf-stable savory condiment worth the two-day project for real depth.
Prudhomme-style Cajun barbecue sauce with bacon, pecans, honey, citrus, and a triple-pepper seasoning blend. Simmered thick and blended for chicken, pork, or ribs.
Vegetarian red lentil burgers bound with breadcrumbs, onion, and garlic. A simple high-protein meatless patty that pan-fries up crisp on the outside and tender within.
Chow spice paste with garlic, ginger, cardamom, turmeric, coriander, and mustard seeds blended smooth. A Caribbean-style all-purpose seasoning base that keeps in the fridge.
Ginger dip made with crystallized ginger, soy sauce, water chestnuts, and garlic stirred into mayo and sour cream. An Asian-inspired party dip ready in 10 minutes.
Low-fat broccoli and mushroom dip made with cottage cheese, plain yogurt, garlic, and sauteed mushrooms. A lighter vegetable-packed party dip with creamy texture and no sour cream or mayo.
Chili with beans built the old-school way: overnight soaked pintos, three kinds of meat, and a slow simmer that coaxes out real depth. Cumin, cayenne, and jalapeños do the talking.
Pho bo (Vietnamese beef noodle soup) with oxtail broth, charred onion, star anise, and fish sauce poured boiling over rice noodles and paper-thin raw beef that cooks in the hot broth. Garnish with cilantro, scallions, and lemon.
Roast leg of venison, no marinade required, larded with salt pork and garlic, rubbed with thyme butter, and roasted to rare with a quick pan gravy from the drippings.