Compare the ingredients, cooking time and equipment below to find a dish that fits your plans. Each recipe includes quantities and a step-by-step method.
Preparation takes 25 minutes. Cooking takes 150 minutes. Allow 175 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: beef chuck, cut into 4 cm (1.5 inch) cubes, vegetable oil, onion, finely chopped, garlic, minced, aji amarillo paste (or substitute with mild chili paste and a pinch of turmeric). Equipment: large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, wooden spoon, knife, cutting board, measuring spoons, measuring cup.
Kitchen tip: Dry the beef well before browning to develop a rich, deep flavor.
Preparation takes 25 minutes. Cooking takes 40 minutes. Allow 65 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: chicken legs, skin-on and bone-in, water or low-sodium chicken broth, onion, quartered, garlic, crushed, ground cumin. Equipment: large pot or Dutch oven, medium bowl, wooden spoon, knife, cutting board, measuring spoons, measuring cups.
Kitchen tip: Use bone-in chicken legs for juicier meat that stays tender during poaching.
Preparation takes 10 minutes. Cooking takes 15 minutes. Allow 25 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces, vegetable oil, red bell pepper, sliced, green bell pepper, sliced, snap peas, trimmed. Equipment: large cast-iron skillet or wok, wooden spoon or spatula, knife, cutting board, measuring spoons, measuring cups.
Kitchen tip: Cut all ingredients into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.
Preparation takes 15 minutes. Cooking takes 60 minutes. Allow 75 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: red lentils, rinsed, clarified butter (niter kibbeh) or unsalted butter, yellow onions, finely chopped, garlic, minced, ginger, freshly grated. Equipment: large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, wooden spoon, knife, cutting board, measuring spoons, measuring cups.
Kitchen tip: For a smokier flavor, toast the berbere spice briefly before using.
Preparation takes 20 minutes. Cooking takes 75 minutes. Allow 95 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: bone-in, skinless chicken thighs, soy sauce, white vinegar, garlic, minced, bay leaves. Equipment: large deep skillet or pot with lid, steaming basket or steamer, medium pot for cooking rice, mixing bowl.
Kitchen tip: Marinate the chicken longer if time allows to deepen the flavor.
Preparation takes 25 minutes. Cooking takes 20 minutes. Allow 45 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: quinoa, rinsed, eggs, beaten, piquillo peppers, drained if jarred, zucchini, finely diced, red bell pepper, finely diced. Equipment: medium saucepan, mixing bowl, frying pan, poaching pan or deep skillet with lid, spatula, measuring cups and spoons.
Kitchen tip: Rinse quinoa well to remove bitterness and improve texture.
Preparation takes 15 minutes. Cooking takes 45 minutes. Allow 60 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, vegetable oil, garlic, minced, fresh ginger, grated, turmeric powder. Equipment: large heavy skillet with lid or Dutch oven, knife, cutting board, measuring spoons, measuring jug, wooden spoon or spatula.
Kitchen tip: Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for juiciness and flavor.
Preparation takes 15 minutes. Cooking takes 40 minutes. Allow 55 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: brown or green lentils, rinsed, vegetable oil, onion, finely chopped, garlic, minced, grated fresh ginger. Equipment: large pot or Dutch oven, wooden spoon, knife, cutting board, measuring cups and spoons.
Kitchen tip: Rinse lentils thoroughly to remove any debris and reduce foam during cooking.
Preparation takes 30 minutes. Cooking takes 180 minutes. Allow 210 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: lamb shoulder, bone-in or boneless, trimmed and cut into large chunks, olive oil, onion, finely chopped, garlic, minced, ground sumac. Equipment: large heavy-based casserole or Dutch oven with lid, oven, medium saucepan, baking tray, mixing bowls, wooden spoon, fine sieve or colander, toaster or skillet for pine nuts.
Kitchen tip: Use bone-in lamb shoulder for extra flavor, but increase cooking time slightly if needed.
Preparation takes 20 minutes. Cooking takes 90 minutes. Allow 110 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, vegetable oil or neutral oil, onions, thinly sliced, garlic, minced, fresh ginger, minced. Equipment: large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven with lid, wooden spoon, knife, cutting board, measuring spoons, measuring cup.
Kitchen tip: Use bone-in chicken thighs for best flavor and moisture retention during slow cooking.
Preparation takes 20 minutes. Cooking takes 45 minutes. Allow 65 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: sirloin steak, trimmed and sliced into strips, vegetable oil, red onion, sliced into thick wedges, ripe plum tomatoes, sliced, garlic, minced. Equipment: pressure cooker or Instant Pot, large skillet, medium saucepan, wooden spoon, knife and cutting board, measuring spoons and cups.
Kitchen tip: For a milder heat, reduce the amount of aji amarillo paste or substitute with yellow bell pepper paste.
Preparation takes 25 minutes. Cooking takes 35 minutes. Allow 60 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs, jerk seasoning mix (store-bought or homemade), vegetable oil, sweet potatoes, peeled and diced, all-purpose flour. Equipment: large skillet with lid, medium pot, mixing bowl, fork or potato masher, knife, chopping board, measuring cups and spoons.
Kitchen tip: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken thighs reach a safe internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).