Cajun Jambalaya is a one-pot wonder, an Acadian specialty that, unlike most other star dishes from Louisiana, cooks (chicken and vegetables and rice) in one fell swoop.

Serves 6-8

saveur.com

INGREDIENTS
1 whole chicken (3 lb.), cut into pieces
1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
½ tsp. cayenne
4 large cloves garlic, peeled; 2 whole and 2 minced
4–5 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
½ cup finely chopped green bell pepper
2 bay leaves
1½ cups long-grain white rice, uncooked
1 lb. Cajun andouille, sliced ¼ inch thick
3 cups homemade or store-bought chicken stock, hot
¼ cup finely chopped scallions
¼ cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

INSTRUCTIONS
Season the chicken with salt and cayenne. Smash the whole garlic cloves with the flat side of a knife. Rub onto the chicken, then discard the garlic. In a large, heavy pot over medium heat, add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the chicken in 2 batches and cook until browned, 8 minutes per batch, adding more oil as needed; set aside.

In the same pot, add the onion, bell pepper, minced garlic, and bay leaves. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown, about 8–10 minutes. Add the rice and andouille; cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned, 15–20 minutes. Return the chicken to the pot, add the stock, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until stock is absorbed, about 30 minutes.

Fluff rice with a fork and season with salt. Just before serving, stir in the scallions and parsley.

This simple best baked salmon really hits all the right notes: tangy, sweet, savory, a little spicy and crunchy. Cooking a larger piece makes for a nice presentation. Topped with buttery golden breadcrumbs and parsley, it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner yet fancy enough to serve to guests.

Serves 4

foodnetwork.com

INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup parsley leaves, chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 pounds skin-on salmon fillet, preferably center-cut
1 tablespoon Dijon

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Mix the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl. Mix the panko with the parsley, butter, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of black pepper in another small bowl.

Place the salmon skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet and spread the surface with the Dijon. Press the brown sugar mixture all over the salmon then top with the breadcrumb mixture. Crimp all four sides of the foil to create a border around the salmon, this will help collect the juices so they don’t spread and burn. Bake until the breadcrumbs are golden brown, and the salmon is firm and flakes easily when pressed, 15 to 18 minutes. Cut into four equal portions for serving.

Bigos is an Eastern European stew that has many adaptations; some versions incorporate rice and/or a variety of vegetables and meats, so you can use whatever you have on hand. This version is a Polish hunter’s stew that features kielbasa, smoky bacon, melty cabbage, and lots of delicious broth that can be sopped up with bread.

Serves 12

bonappetit.com

INGREDIENTS
1 lb. double-smoked slab bacon, cut into 1″ cubes
1½ lb. kielbasa sausage, sliced on a diagonal ½” thick
8 garlic cloves, crushed
3 Tbsp. double concentrated tomato paste
1 Tbsp. paprika
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. ground cumin
¾ tsp. cayenne pepper
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1 cup dry white wine
2 Tbsp. kosher salt
1 small head of green cabbage (about 2 lb.), cored, thinly sliced
2 large carrots, peeled, sliced 1½” thick
1 Pink Lady apple, cored, grated on the large holes of a box grater
2 lb. Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed, cut into 1″ pieces
1 lb. sauerkraut (not drained; about 2 cups)
4 cups homemade beef stock or water
Small dill sprigs, dark rye or pumpernickel bread, and unsalted butter (for serving)

INSTRUCTIONS
Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium heat, stirring often, until brown and crisp, 10–12 minutes. Transfer bacon to a small bowl with a slotted spoon; set aside. Cook kielbasa in bacon fat in pot, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl with tongs; set aside.

Reduce heat to medium-low, add garlic to same pot, and cook, stirring often, until just beginning to turn golden brown, about 3 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until paste darkens slightly in color and begins to stick to pot, about 2 minutes. Add paprika, coriander, cumin, and cayenne and cook, stirring constantly, just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Immediately add onions and turn to coat. Increase heat to medium-high, pour in wine, and cook, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pot, until smell of the alcohol cooks off, about 3 minutes. Stir in salt, then add cabbage, carrots, apple, potatoes, sauerkraut, stock, and reserved bacon. Bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer gently, mixing well halfway through, 1 hour. Mix in reserved kielbasa. Cover and cook until bacon is tender, cabbage is meltingly soft, and potatoes are cooked through, 30–60 minutes.

Divide stew among bowls. Top with dill. Serve with bread and butter alongside.

Do Ahead: Stew can be made 1 week ahead (flavor will improve as time goes on). Cover and chill.

Beef suet [use lard] and masa give this Texas chili its distinctive flavor. For a true taste of this state dish skip the beans and tomatoes.

Serves 6

saveur.com

INGREDIENTS
6 oz. beef suet, coarsely chopped [use appropriate amount of lard]
3 lb. trimmed beef chuck, cut into ½-in. pieces
6 tbsp. chili powder
4 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup masa harina
4 cups beef stock or low-sodium beef broth, warm
3 tbsp. white vinegar
Cayenne pepper
Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Tabasco, for serving
Thinly sliced scallions, for garnish
Tabasco, for serving
Saltines, for serving
Sour cream, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS
In a large Dutch oven set over medium-high heat, melt the suet, stirring frequently, 8–9 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to discard any solids. Working in batches if necessary, add the chuck and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned all over, 8–10 minutes. Turn the heat to medium and stir in the chili powder, garlic, and salt and black pepper to taste. Add the masa harina and stir to coat, then gradually pour in the broth, vinegar, and 4 cups of water. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until the meat begins to fall apart, about 4 hours, adding water as needed to prevent sticking. Season with additional salt, black pepper, and cayenne to taste.

To serve, ladle the chili into bowls and garnish with the cilantro and scallions. Accompany with Tabasco, saltines, and sour cream.

Very similar to spinach gnocchi, Nudi, which originated in Florence, are called “naked” because they wear no shell of dough.

Serves 4

saveur.com

INGREDIENTS
Kosher salt
1 lb. fresh baby spinach
½ lb. whole-milk ricotta, drained
1 1⁄2 cups freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano
4 tsp. large egg yolks
1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more, for sprinkling
½ tsp. finely grated lemon zest
Cayenne pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg
1⁄4 cup Freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

INSTRUCTIONS
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and cook until wilted and very tender but still bright green, 8–10 minutes. Drain the spinach, discarding the cooking liquid, then transfer to a clean kitchen towel; squeeze to extract as much liquid as possible. (If there is too much moisture on the leaves, the ravioli will fall apart during cooking.) Finely chop the spinach and and set aside.

In a large bowl, stir together the ricotta, egg yolks, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and lemon zest. Add the reserved spinach and toss to combine, then season to taste with cayenne, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Add the flour and stir just until combined.

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a simmer over medium heat. With wet hands or a 1-tablespoon scoop, shape the spinach mixture into 1-inch balls. Drop one ball into the simmering water and cook until it floats to the top; if it holds its shape, continue with the remaining mixture. If the ball falls apart, add additional flour to the mixture, 1–2 teaspoons at a time, until it holds together in the water. Cook the dumplings in batches. As they float to the top, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a large plate and tent with aluminum foil to keep them warm as you continue cooking the rest. To serve, drizzle with melted butter, top with additional Parmigiano-­Reggiano, and serve warm.

Recipe from Food Network’s Sunny Anderson.

Serves 6-8

foodnetwork.com

INGREDIENTS
2 cups elbow pasta, cooked until almost al dente
8 ounces Cheddar, 1/2 cubed, 1/2 shredded
8 ounces Colby cheese, cubed
8 ounces Monterey pepper jack cheese, cubed
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
4 tablespoons sour cream
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup half-and-half
1/4 cup finely grated onions
4 slices bread
1 tablespoon butter
Special equipment: 2-quart baking dish

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, toss together the pasta with the cheese cubes and pour into the baking dish.

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, nutmeg. Add the sour cream, egg, heavy cream, half-and-half and onions. Pour over the pasta and cover with the shredded Cheddar. Bake uncovered until the top is just beginning to brown, about 35 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut the bread into crouton-size squares. In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter, add the bread cubes and toast until golden. Sprinkle the bread cubes on top of the macaroni and cheese and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes more.