Traditional Coq au Vin is a centuries old dish and a staple in French cuisine. It's an incredibly hearty and comforting dish built with a bit of time and layer upon layer of flavor.

The foundational ingredients are all browned in batches first, then red wine and seasoned broth are added while scraping up that flavorful fond (the browned bits at the bottom of the pan), then it's all slowly braised over a low heat until everything is tender and infused with rich flavor. From there the sauce is thickened with a roux (flour and butter mixture), and the bacon is added back at the end to maintain its crispness.

It's such a memorable dish with full bodied flavor. There's a reason it's become a world renowned dish!

Serve it with one of the many options listed below. I would say you can never go wrong with mashed potatoes to complement its rustic, homestyle goodness.

What is Beef Bourguignon?

Beef Bourguignon (which is pronounced beef boar-gin-yaan) is a signature French stew made up chunks of rich beef braised in a deeply flavored red wine based sauce, along with aromatic vegetables such as pearl onions and browned mushrooms. Often times it includes another rich meat such as pork (bacon!), and it also includes plenty of herbs for complementary fresh flavor.

It is a humble, rustic style dish yet somehow at the same time if seems luxurious with such sophisticated flavor. It's creates a main dish worthy of a holiday celebration!

Wondering what to serve with Beef Bourguignon? It's best paired with mashed potatoes or a hearty artisan bread because there's so much of that complex gravy-like sauce to be soaked up by pairing with something so appropriately fitting.

Watch the Recipe!

[wprm-recipe-video]

It's delicious filling for sandwiches or doubles as a topping over potatoes, rice or pasta.

Homestyle Sausage with Peppers and Onions

Sausage and peppers is a simple Italian style dish that's packed with bright fresh ingredients an abundance of comforting, satisfying flavor. It's an enjoyable lunch or dinner entree that is easy to make and it's fun to serve a variety of ways.

It begins with rich sausages that are beautifully browned, then they simmer briefly nestled with the sautéed peppers and onions, while the sauce simmers down and lightly thickens for a nice base. To finish the sausages are sliced into bite size coins and it's all coated with a fair sprinkle of parmesan, because why not? It adds that last touch of perfectly enhancing flavor.

There's so much crave-able goodness in every bite. Truly you'll want to use bakery fresh hoagies only (no stale hoagies buns from the shelf) for something this delicious!

Watch the Video!

[wprm-recipe-video]

What Is Shish Tawook?

In the Turkish language, “shish” means skewer, and “tawook,” also sometimes spelled tauk, means chicken. Put together, the two translate to mean chicken skewer or chicken kebab. 

Believed to have first been served during the Ottoman Empire, shish tawook quickly became popular throughout the entire Middle East, spreading into Egypt and Levant during the Ottoman’s rule. 

It features pieces of chicken that are soaked in a yogurt marinade infused with garlic, lemon juice, and lots of warm spices. It is then grilled or baked until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. 

Thanks to the marinade, chicken shish tawook always turns out juicy and is virtually fail proof. It’s one of my all-time favorite recipes and is always what I order when we dine at Middle Eastern restaurants. Luckily, it’s simple to make at home, too! 

What’s the difference between chicken shish tawook and chicken shawarma? 

Both dishes are made with boneless skinless chicken and Middle Eastern spices, but they are not the same. There are key differences in how the two recipes are created and prepared. 

• Shish tawook is created with a creamy, yogurt-based marinade that features garlic, warm seasonings, and tomato paste. As a result, it has a rich, bold flavor and a distinct hue. 
• Alternatively, shawarma does not use yogurt or tomato paste. Instead, an olive oil-based marinade creates a stronger citrus flavor with warmer seasonings and a slightly spicier flavor. 
• Traditionally, shish tawook is grilled on skewers, and shawarma roasts long and slow on a spit. Although, you can also make oven baked chicken shawarma at home.

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta 

This tomato pasta recipe is one of my go-to options for busy weeknights. Made with just one pot and a saucepan, it’s ready in just a little over 30 minutes. You really can’t go wrong. 

If you’ve never had sun-dried tomatoes in pasta, prepare to be amazed. They’re one of my favorite ways to spruce up a simple dish with a pop of color and a rich, savory, slightly smokey flavor. 

I love to include them in recipes like my sun dried tomato basil and Parmesan orzo with chicken and this spaghetti with sun dried tomatoes and spinach. However, this tomato pasta might be my favorite sun-dried tomato recipe yet. 

Made with al dente pasta tossed in a vibrant tomato sauce, it’s rich, creamy, and unbelievably satisfying. Plus, it features fresh spinach for a boost of nutrients and fiber. 

Basically, this sun dried tomato pasta has everything you could want in a homemade dinner and more. Quick to make, it’s easy enough for weeknights yet elegant enough for special occasions. It’s sure to have all of your guests coming back for more!  

Dutch Oven Beef Stew

An incredibly delicious traditional beef stew that's likely even better than you remember your family making growing up!

It's made with tender bite size pieces of beef, creamy potatoes, nutritious carrots, and a rich and savory red wine infused broth.

This easy beef stew follows a straightforward prep and finishes with that classic old fashioned flavor.

Beef and onions are browned on the stovetop (tip: nicely browned beef is key to the complex depth of flavor here). Then the liquids and herbs are added and the stew and it's cooked in the oven. Partway through the remaining vegetables are added so they don't end up mushy, and then it's baked once more until everything is tender.

You'll appreciate this mostly hands off version that doesn't need constant tending to on the stovetop, and how the even encircling heat surrounding the pot from the oven ensures a more consistent end result.

Truly it's a recipe to enjoy year round but one that's especially fitting for cool crisp autumn days and blustery breezy winter days. It's a homestyle, soul warming dish that is certain to be a highlight of a long day!

Easy French Bread Pizza Recipe

All be honest, going into this with recipe testing I was thinking it would more so be a recipe the kids would love - but it turns out that equally as well adults will absolutely love this French bread pizza too!

But of course that only makes sense because it's layered with so much goodness and it's extra cheesy!

It has incredible flavor, perfect texture (crisp exterior, soft interior) and it's so easy to customize (see below for ideas, or just think of your favorite creative pizza and make that here!).

Not only is it a great after school snack, but it is definitely something I would proudly serve to guests on the weekend (just pair it with a simple salad topped with Spaghetti Factory copycat creamy pesto dressing).

It's just so tasty! Especially if you go the easy homemade pizza sauce route.

Who doesn't love a recipe that's this simple, that can taste this good??

And I should mention it makes great leftovers too (and I'm a leftover snob). That is if you're lucky enough to have any left for lunch the following day.

Want the same flavors in soup form? Also try my Goulash Soup, another super cozy dinner!

What is Goulash?

There are several types of Goulash. One of the most popular is Hungarian goulash, which is a seasoned stew made up of meat and vegetables.

This however is a different take on beef goulash. It's a classic American goulash made up of ground beef, tomatoes, broth and pasta.

I grew up eating this dish and always loved it, and right now it's all about those comfort food classics. It's jam packed with satisfying flavors that all meld as it simmers and cooks together in one pot.

The other great thing about this recipe is that it's a cheap dish made with simple, everyday ingredients. Nothing fancy or unusual here.

It's just that hearty goodness like mom and grandma made. A dinner that never disappoints!

Also, try these other beef soup favorites - Vegetable Beef Soup, Slow Cooker Beef Stew, Hamburger Soup, and that childhood classic Beef and Tomato Macaroni Soup. You can never have too many soup recipes!

My favorite thing to end a cold day with at dinner time is a steaming bowl of soup, like this hearty beef barley soup.

Beef and Barley Soup Video

[wprm-recipe-video]

I've been through the list of soups and made what seems like every kind out there, but that's just the great thing about soup. The possibilities are endless.

This homemade classic is one that once you try it fresh, you'll never be able to eat it canned again. But that goes for just about any other soup too, right?

There's just something about all those ingredients simmering together building up flavor, and serving it warm for sipping that creates a cozy dish like no other.

This one has a great blend of textures as well, with the tender beef and veggies, chewy barley, and the base of runny broth. It's a mouthful of goodness and a satisfying, beefy flavor!

This is how you do chilly day dinners!

The Best Shepherd's Pie Recipe

I made shepherd's pie (AKA Cottage Pie) FIVE times this week to perfect it and I'd have to say I don't know that it could get any better! This has honestly got to be the coziest meal-in-one out there. And while it may not be the fastest easiest dinner it's worth every minute of prep and patience!

Hearty ground beef is browned and seasoned with aromatics including fresh veggies and herbs, then red wine and beef broth are added and it's simmered and reduced to a light gravy. And then comes my favorite part - its topped and finished with the most heavenly mashed potatoes!

Broiled vs. Baking

One thing I found it testing that there was no point in baking the layered pie at high temperatures up to 30 minutes, rather a quick broil kept the potatoes from drying out and the beef filling from scorching and getting tough.

Both the filling and potatoes are freshly cooked and hot so this method only made sense, plus it's faster this way.

It's also nice to bake the pie in the same pan the filling is cooked in rather than transferring to a baking dish, this way you save cleaning up one extra pan.

A Comfort Food Classic!

You'll love that this is just old fashioned, cast iron cooked, classic comfort food that reminds you of home.

If you like shepherd's pie then don't hesitate to try this recipe! You'll learn all the tips and tricks to perfecting it and it's likely to become a new family favorite!