Chicken Stew. Pasta with Tomatoes and Sausage.

Blog Post & Recipe: Chicken Stew with Onions, Tomatoes, and Dijon

"Stews are your best ally for stress-free dinner parties," says Clotilde Dusoulier, of her Mustard Chicken Stew in her Chocolate & Zucchini cookbook, and I couldn't agree more. They cook happily away while you enjoy the company of your guests, and avoid the stress of food that has to be perfectly timed.

Recipe: Pasta with Caramelized Tomatoes and Sausage

What to buy: Sweet Italian sausage, sometimes called mild Italian sausage, is flavored with fennel and garlic and can be found in most supermarkets. We call for the cooked variety, but if you can’t find it feel free to substitute fresh and simply cook it before using. If you want more heat, replace the mild Italian sausage with hot Italian sausage.

Game plan: If tomatoes are not in their prime and you’re dying to make this pasta, toss the chopped tomatoes with a pinch of salt and set them in a fine mesh strainer over a bowl for at least 10 minutes to boost their flavor.