Braise/Stew: A heartier alternative to soup, stew recipes combine nice big chunks of vegetables and meat in a warm broth. Stew is a staple dish in many countries like Ireland. An easy way to make stew is to prepare all of the ingredients the night before it is to be served. Then throw them in the slow cooker (or "crock pot") in the morning. Try the Veal Stew in Pastry for a different option. Braising is a similar method of cooking, which involves lightly frying the meat before letting it slow cook. Our Rosemary Chicken recipe is a perfect example of how great braising is.