Name: Tamale Pie
Cook time: 1 hr
Total time: 6 hr
Yield: Makes 12 (main course) servings
Ingredients: 1/2 cup fresh Seville orange juice (or 1/4 cup regular fresh orange juice plus 1/4 cup fresh lime juice); 8 garlic cloves, crushed in a mortar or a garlic press; 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds, toasted; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch pieces; 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1/4 pound Spanish chorizo (cured spiced pork sausage), finely chopped; 1/4 cup finely chopped baked or smoked ham; 2 large onions, chopped; 1 cup chopped green bell pepper; 1 cup chopped red bell pepper; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 2 (14 1/2-ounces) cans diced tomatoes; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1/2 cup dry Sherry; 1 1/3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth; 1 1/4 cups hot water, divided; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/3 cup olive oil; 3 cups yellow cornmeal; 2 large eggs, lightly beaten; 1/2 cup corn (from 1 ear); 4 1/2 cups coarsely grated Cheddar or crumbled feta or goat cheese (3/4 pound); Equipment: a 6- to 8-quarts pressure cooker

Tamal "en cazuela"

Combining pork shoulder, Sherry, and a classic Cuban marinade of garlic, cumin, and sour orange in a ropa vieja–like stew that gets tucked between corn-rich pastry, this hearty meal is ideal for a big family gathering. True, it takes some effort, but the good news is that you can break up the tasks and finish them ahead of time—leaving nothing to worry about except the reheating (and maybe the in-laws).

Recipe notes

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Heavenly Halva Cake

Serve a thick slice for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up.

Vodka Gochujang Pasta

This pasta has some really big energy about it. It’s so extra, it’s the type of thing you should be eating in your bikini while drinking a magnum of rosé, not in Hebden Bridge (or wherever you live), but on a beach on Mykonos.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

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

Kung Pao Cabbage With Tofu

Reliable cabbage is cooked in the punchy sauce and then combined with store-bought baked tofu and roasted cashews for a salad that can also be eaten with rice.

Smothered Italian Sausage

This is what I call a fridge-eater recipe. The key here is getting a nice sear on the sausage and cooking the tomato down until it coats the sausage and vegetables well.

Golden Mushroom Soup With Orzo & a Pat of Butter

This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.

White Bean Turkey Chili

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