16 quick stews - Sunset.com

Photo by Jeffery Cross; styling by Randy Mon

Halibut, Clams, and Pancetta with Escarole

How does celebrity chef Tyler Florence juggle a booming empire and family life? With fast, flavorful recipes like this tasty seafood stew.

Recipe: Halibut, Clams, and Pancetta with Escarole

Photo by Leigh Beisch

Speedy Chicken Posole with Avocado and Lime

This dish, using canned hominy, takes a fraction of the time needed for regular posole. Serve with warm corn tortillas.

Recipe: Spicy Chicken Posole with Avocado and Lime

Photo by Leigh Beisch;

Chinese-style Beef, Sweet Potato, and Bok Choy Stew

Chinese five-spice powder infuses this colorful stew with a warm, anise-y note.

Recipe: Chinese-style Beef, Sweet Potato, and Bok Choy Stew

Photo by Iain Bagwell; styling by Dan Becker

Escarole and Cannellini Bean Stew

This hearty, less-is-more stew riffs on rustic Italian flavors. Serve with crusty bread and a green salad.

Recipe: Escarole and Cannellini Bean Stew

Photography by Leigh Beisch, food styling by Dan Becker

White Wine Coq Au Vin

Think of this as a fresher, green-herb-laced version of the French classic. Serve with a crusty baguette for dunking.

Recipe: White Wine Coq Au Vin

Photography by Leigh Beisch; food styling by Dan Becker

Wild Rice, Butternut Squash, and Cannellini Stew

Wild rice gives this stew earthiness and is appealingly chewy (save time by buying it precooked). Serve with cornbread or polenta.

Recipe: Wild Rice, Butternut Squash, and Cannellini Stew

Photography by James Carrier

Black Bean Chili

The addition of chipotle purée imparts a rich, 'tastes like it's been simmering for hours' flavor in this dish, which actually comes together in just about 30 minutes.

Recipe: Black Bean Chili

Photography by Leo Gong

Thai Red Curry Fish Stew

Light coconut milk in this stew works as a healthy alternative to the full-fat kind, and prepared Thai red curry paste, found in most supermarkets, makes it a snap to put together.

Recipe: Thai Red Curry Fish Stew

Photography by Dan Goldberg (Food Styling: Karen Shinto)

Chicken Stew with Olives and Lemon

Boned, skinned chicken thighs are just as convenient as breasts, and they have an added advantage: Their succulent texture and robust flavor stand up well to braising.

Add the flavors of Italian salsa verde--bright parsley, tart lemon, piquant capers, and green olives--for a fresh, fast twist on cold-weather cooking.

Recipe: Chicken Stew with Olives and Lemon

Photography by Christina Schmidhofer

Spicy Lentil Stew with Peppers and Onions

This dish provides a meal's worth of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables (plus a lot of fiber), so all you need on the side is a crisp green salad.

Recipe: Spicy Lentil Stew with Peppers and Onions

James Carrier

Spicy Seafood Stew

Any mix of seafood works well in this chewy-tender stew, which pairs beautifully atop nutritious quinoa.

Recipe: Spicy Seafood Stew

Leigh Beisch

Halibut and Sweet Potato Chowder

Spicy sausage, sweet potato, and saffron lend an exotic touch to this otherwise simple chowder.

Recipe: Halibut and Sweet Potato Chowder

Photography by Dan Goldberg

Split Pea-Squash Stew with Basil and Serrano

This fragrant, buttery stew is hearty enough to work as a vegetarian main dish. Serve with a green salad and naan (Indian flatbread) or fresh pita.

Recipe: Split Pea-Squash Stew with Basil and Serrano

Photography by James Carrier

Rustic Spring Vegetable Stew

This Italian-style stew features vegetables from Spring's bounty, but replace fresh peas and artichokes with frozen and it's a simple dish to prepare year-round.

Recipe: Rustic Spring Vegetable Stew

Photography by James Carrier

Warm Tomato and White Bean Stew

This filling meal comes together fast, thanks in part to the ease of using canned beans, which are already soft and ready to go.

Recipe: Warm Tomato and White Bean Stew

Photography by James Carrier

Singapore Chicken Stew

Coconut milk smoothes out the assertive Chinese five-spice blend in this quick chicken dish.

Recipe: Singapore Chicken Stew

16 beat-the-clock stews

Halibut, Clams, and Pancetta with Escarole

Speedy Chicken Posole with Avocado and Lime

Chinese-style Beef, Sweet Potato, and Bok Choy Stew

Escarole and Cannellini Bean Stew

White Wine Coq Au Vin

Wild Rice, Butternut Squash, and Cannellini Stew

Black Bean Chili

Thai Red Curry Fish Stew

Chicken Stew with Olives and Lemon

Spicy Lentil Stew with Peppers and Onions

Spicy Seafood Stew

Halibut and Sweet Potato Chowder

Split Pea-Squash Stew with Basil and Serrano

Rustic Spring Vegetable Stew

Warm Tomato and White Bean Stew

Singapore Chicken Stew