One-Pot Meals
Chicken and Ginger Soup
This comforting soup is richly flavored but not at all heavy. Fresh ginger and red jalapeños add a nicespiciness. If you can't find red jalapeños, serrano chiles or green jalapeños would make a good substitute.
Chicken with Vin Jaune and Morels
An elegant meal for four that requires only 20 minutes active time? That's our kind of dinner. This creamy, comforting dish is just the type of thing you crave on a blustery March night. Because aged vin jaune can be hard to come by in the United States, we substituted a two-year-old Savagnin (with a flavor similar to a dry Sherry) and were very happy with the results.
Pork Chops with Stewed Tomatoes, Capers and Rosemary
Obviously, those who devote their lives to pork are going to have the best recipes for it, which explains why porc charcutière—named after pork butchers—is such a time-honored preparation. This version is lighter and a lot quicker than a traditional one, but its flavors are no less fine-tuned.
Bouillabaisse, Simplified
You don't need to get fancy with bouillabaisse. This version of the French fisherman's stew liberates you from having to buy up the entire fish counter—just choose any two or three of the fish and shellfish options listed below.
Potato Soup with Kale and Chorizo
Homemade croutons add crunch to this smoky, spicy soup.
Homemade Irish Corned Beef and Vegetables
Spicy horseradish cream and malty Guinness mustard amp up the flavor of this home-corned beef. You might need to special-order the brisket from your butcher, and you'll have to start brining the meat eight days before you cook and serve it. The Insta Cure No. 1 is optional, but it's nice to use because it gives the meat its traditional pink color. Save the leftover corned beef and vegetables for the sandwiches and hash.
Cabbage and White Bean Soup with Sausage
Savoy cabbage would work well here, too.
Cauliflower and Feta Omelet
Little bites of cauliflower add wonderful texture to this open-face omelet; salty-tangy feta gives it character.
Simmered Greens with Cornmeal Dumplings
This "assembly of greens," as Miss Lewis would say, has a supple texture that works nicely with cornmeal dumplings.
Brunswick Stew
Residents of Brunswick, Georgia, and Brunswick County, Virginia, are both fiercely protective of the provenance of this dish, but let's face it—hunters have lived off this sort of thing forever. Like all stews, this tastes even better the next day.
Goulash Soup
This rustic, satisfying spiced soup—a perfect dish to make ahead and reheat on busy weeknights—will help stave off even the fiercest midwinter chill.
Chicken and Dumplings
This old-fashioned winter dish is the soup equivalent of a hot toddy. Use a wide pot so the dumplings don't stick together.
Thai Green Chicken Curry
Serve with steamed rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Salmon with Fennel and Pernod
Fresh fennel and fennel seeds flavor this elegant main course.
Rice and Noodle Pilaf with Toasted Almonds
Since sautéing orzo in butter gives it a nutty taste and toasting almonds makes them buttery, it should be no surprise that the two ingredients are perfectly complementary in this pilaf.
Potato Torta
Editor's note: The recipe and introductory text below are adapted from Molto Italiano by Mario Batali. It's part of a special menu created by Lidia Bastianich and Mario Batali for Epicurious's Wine.Dine.Donate program.
Tortiera di Patate
This is the Italian version of spuds au gratin. There is no cream or milk, but with the creamy texture of the pecorino and the pleasing crunch of the bread crumbs, it is definitely comfort food.