After trying a number of different recipes for enchilada sauce, I have settled on this one for now. It has what I would call an "earthy" flavor compared to say a more tomato-like one. One of the primary uses of enchilada sauce is arguably, and in my view, as a sauce to use when making enchiladas. However, since what I put in my enchiladas are based on my mood and what I have around, I will not outline a specific enchilada recipe, but just the way I put them together.

Read more: Enchilada Sauce and Enchiladas

This basic beef stew is good for the colder months. It takes a while to cook so requires some advanced planning, but most of that time the stew is just simmering and filling the area with warm smells. I used to make stew in the slow cooker so I could toss items into it in the morning and have things ready come dinner time, but I think this version has a little more hearty of a flavor.

This recipe provides more servings than I usually like to make, but that is due to the size of the beef chuck usually found for sale. It freezes and reheats well, though.

Read more: Guinness Beef Stew

My mother has a severe gluten allergy, so need alternatives to flour as a thickening agent.

Corn Starch

1/2 Tablespoon corn starch can be used instead of 1 Tablespoon of flour. Mix the corn starch with enough cold water to be smooth. Instead of adding this to the pan before the liquid as we would when using flour, add the liquid first then add the corn starch mixture. Bring to a slow boil to thicken.

Guar Gum

A little of this goes a long way, so add a teaspoon at a time and mix with your liquid until your desired consistency is reached.

This is a generic BBQ sauce. It is tangy and can be tempered with more sugar if desired. I personally like it tangy. The ketchup I use is store-bought, but one without corn syrup. Total cook time is around 1 1/2 to 2 hours, but most of that is simmering.

Read more: Tangy BBQ Sauce