Name: Tailgaters' Favorite Stew
Yield: Serves 6 to 8
Ingredients: 6 slices bacon (about 4 oz/125 g); 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp cracked black peppercorns; 2 lbs stewing beef, trimmed, cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes and patted dry; 2 onions, finely chopped; 2 stalks celery, diced; 2 carrots, peeled and diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 bay leaves; 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg; Grated zest and juice of 1 orange; 1 1/2 cups barley (see tips) rinsed and drained; 1 can (5 1/2 oz/156 mL) tomato paste; 1 cup dry red wine; 2 cups beef broth; 1 cup water; 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; Medium to large (3 1/2 to 5 quart) slow cooker

Image may contain Plant Dish Food Meal Bowl Produce Vegetable Stew and Bean

Tailgaters' Favorite StewColin Erricson/www.robertrose.ca

I can't imagine anything more appealing on a blustery day than a big serving of this ambrosial stew. It's great for potlucks and outdoor get-togethers because it's easily transportable and there is nothing to add.

Tips

If you are halving this recipe, be sure to use a small (approx. 2 to 3 quart) slow cooker.

The orange zest and juice add wonderful depth to this stew.

Use the variety of barley you prefer—pearled, pot or whole. Whole (also known as hulled) barley is the most nutritious form of the grain.

Variation:
Substitute wheat, spelt or Kamut berries for the barley.

Recipe notes

Classic French Bouillabaisse With Rouille

This flexible recipe is all you need to bring this iconic Provençal seafood stew to your table.

Salmon With Sizzled Nut Salsa

A savory-hot salsa made with mixed nuts (like the kind dubbed cocktail nuts meant for snacking) gives roast salmon a kaleidoscope of textures and flavors.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

One-Pot Chicken Thighs With Cilantro Rice and Beans

This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.

Key Lime Pie Thumbprint Cookies

The classic dessert reimagined as a soft and chewy cookie with a buttery, brown-sugar-sweetened graham cracker dough and a silky lime custard filling.