Ginger and Tomato Beef Short Rib Stew

Beef simmering short ribs make a flavourful stew when slow-cooked gently with root vegetables and aromatic Asian spices. You can replace the white turnips with about one-quarter of a small rutabaga, sliced thinly into bite-size pieces. Note: For this slow-cooker version, be sure to slice the turnips thinly.

Shrimp, Scallop and Tomato Stew With Lemony Orzo

You can whip up this satisfying meal in minutes, but it tastes like it took hours of simmering. The three-ingredient lemony orzo soaks up the thick tomato-based sauce and gives the dish a citrusy zing. On another night, try the stew over rice or mashed potatoes.

Caribou Stew

Caribou is one of the staple ingredients in Nunavut cooking. It's classified as country food; or food from the land, and it's one of the only truly wild meats. Caribou is sometimes available at specialty meat shops across Canada or by special order directly from purveyors in Nunavut. Availability can vary from season to season, so if you can't find caribou, then elk, venison or beef can make a delicious substitute. Serve with Bannock.

Quick Cassoulet Stew

This hearty French stew (named after the earthenware pot that it's traditionally cooked in) normally takes hours to prepare. Using canned beans and chicken thighs (instead of the usual duck confit) allows you to get it on the table in just minutes!

Chinese Chicken Stew

Cinnamon, gingerroot, cloves and pepper make chicken come alive in this simple recipe.

Mediterranean Chickpea Stew

You can make this hearty soup vegetarian by omitting the bacon, sautéing the veggies in olive oil instead of the bacon fat and substituting vegetable broth for the chicken broth. Use the bottom of a heavy saucepan to crush the fennel seeds, which will release their licorice-like flavour. If you don't have fresh spinach, you can use half of a 300-gram package of frozen spinach; just be sure to thaw and drain it well before stirring it into the soup.

Cod & Chorizo Stew

Korean Beef Stew