25 Hearty, Delicious, & Comforting Stew Recipes

We love this recipe, because it pressure cooks in 5 minutes and simultaneously steams the rice on top of the tomatoey, spicy chicken. Score! We like buying Trader Joe's naan in the freezer section and toasting it in the oven, slathered with plenty of turmeric-y ghee. You can also spread butter and sprinkle on a little powdered turmeric as well.

Recipe Notes: Use chicken breast or thighs — dark and white meat turn out lovely in this recipe. Specialty spices like Kashmiri red chile powder and fenugreek leaves can be ordered online or found at Indian supermarkets or healthy grocery stores. Sugar, although optional, is recommended as it will cut through the acidity of the tomatoes. We added coconut sugar to our version.

Ingredients 

• 2 tablespoons ghee
• 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, halved and patted dry
• 1 cup canned tomato puree
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons Kashmiri red chili powder or another mild red chili powder
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 cup canned coconut cream
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons dried fenugreek leaves
• 2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

Select the high Sauté setting on the Instant Pot and heat the ghee. Add the onion and cook until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Press the Cancel button to turn off the Instant Pot. Add the chicken, tomato puree, water, ginger, garlic, chili powder, salt, garam masala, and turmeric and stir to combine.

To make the rice: In a 1 1/2-quart stainless-steel bowl that will fit in the Instant Pot, stir together the rice, water, and salt. Place a tall steam rack in the pot, making sure its legs are resting on the bottom. Place the bowl of rice on the rack.

Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Select the Pressure Cook or Manual setting and set the cooking time for 5 minutes at high pressure.

Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then move the Pressure Release to Venting to release any remaining steam. Open the pot. Using heat-resistant mitts, place the bowl of rice on a trivet and remove the tall steam rack.

Add to the pot the coconut cream, tomato paste, fenugreek, and sugar and stir to combine. Select the high Sauté setting and cook until the curry comes to a boil and is heated through, about 2 minutes. Press the Cancel button to turn off the Instant Pot.

Spoon the rice onto plates and ladle the curry over the top. Sprinkle with the cilantro and serve the most delicious instant pot butter chicken you've ever made!

Appetizers + Side Dishes

Dill Cucumber Salad (Gurkensalat)

This cool and crisp German classic features thinly sliced cucumbers adorned with fresh dill in a delightful vinegar-based dressing. Perfect for summer cookouts or adding a touch of Oktoberfest flair to your table! (via This Wife Cooks)

Spaetzle

This classic German side dish offers a versatile culinary experience. The tiny, eggy noodles, whether plain with butter and salt or adorned with creative toppings like mac and cheese, promise an authentic taste of Germany. (via Culinary Hill)

Homemade Sauerkraut

Craft your own sauerkraut at home with cabbage, sea salt, and a jar for a gut-friendly delight in just 7-14 days. This easy, cost-efficient recipe suits both beginners and seasoned fermenters, offering a personalized, nutritious alternative to store-bought options. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Chopped Cabbage as Salad

Add a German twist to your summer gatherings with our vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free chopped cabbage salad—a crunchy, tangy, and creamy delight. (via Clean Cuisine)

German Two Potato Salad With Bacon and Chive Vinaigrette

This dish is a crowd-pleaser at summer picnics, and BBQs, made with white and purple potatoes, bacon, pickles and dressed in a chive vinaigrette. The perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, sausages, or a classic veal schnitzel, bringing the taste of Bavaria to your table. (via Vikalinka)

Dinners

Vegan Sheet Pan German Sausage And Veggies

Experience German flavors in a breeze with this recipe—a simple, one-pan wonder combining red-skinned potatoes, Brussels sprouts, purple cabbage, and vegan sausages. Seasoned with smoked paprika and cider vinegar, it's a quick route to authentic weeknight delight. (via Brit + Co)

Quinoa Crusted Schnitzel with Creamed Corn Gnocchi

Delight your taste buds with a unique twist on the classic Schnitzel! Picture this: quinoa-crusted Schnitzel, golden and crisp, paired with heavenly-creamed corn gnocchi, all inspired by the flavors of Germany. (via Half-Baked Harvest)

Chicken Schnitzel

Enjoy the classic German comfort of chicken Schnitzel, a quick and family-friendly meal that brings crispy, breaded chicken cutlets to your table in just 25 minutes. (via Culinary Hill)

Rouladen

A traditional German dish featuring thinly sliced beef filled with bacon, mustard, and pickles, all bathed in a savory gravy. This comfort food classic, reminiscent of a savory jelly roll, is perfect for winter warmth or as a highlight of your Oktoberfest celebration. (via Culinary Hill)

German Potato Soup

This German potato soup, or Kartoffelsuppe in its native German, is made with simple ingredients and seasoned with caraway seeds. Simple to make, it pairs perfectly with fresh bread rolls. (via This Wife Cooks)

Desserts

Holiday Spritz Cookies

Crafted with hints of vanilla and almond extract, these delightful treats, shaped like Christmas trees and wreaths, are perfect for sharing and creating cherished memories. (via Completely Delicious)

Black Forest Ice Cream Cake

Treat yourself to this irresistible cake. A rich brownie layer with Kirsch-infused cherries, embraced by vanilla ice cream and topped with dark chocolate ganache, fresh cherries, and chocolate shavings. A playful twist on the classic German recipe. (via Barley and Sage)

Vegan German Streusel Cake

This simple recipe combines a soft, sweet base crafted from accessible vegan ingredients, topped with a delightful crunch of vegan streusel. Enjoy the warmth of traditional German coffee moments in under an hour! (via The Edgy Veg)

Funnel Cake

Indulge in the nostalgia of a timeless American fair treat with this homemade funnel cake. Crispy and cloud-like, these fried delights trace their roots back to the Pennsylvania Dutch-German immigrants who included a version in their 1879 cookbook. (via Brit + Co)

Strudel Dough

Create flaky Strudel dough for sweet or savory fillings. Rest the dough for 30 minutes for easy handling, then craft delicious whirlpools of flavor. (via Culinary Hill)

German Lebkuchen

Capture the essence of German holidays with this vegan Lebkuchen recipe, a delightful Christmas treat reminiscent of gingerbread. Filled with winter spices, citrus peel, and chocolate, these cookies are a nostalgic link to cherished memories, making them a perfect addition to festive gatherings. (via The Edgy Veg)

Yuzu Linzer Cookies

Imagine buttery almond goodness sandwiching a burst of zesty yuzu joy, dusted with a sweet sprinkle of powdered magic. That's the festive magic of Yuzu Linzer cookies! (via Takes Two Eggs)

German Chocolate Brownies

This one is more German-inspired but so delicious I can't leave it out. Rich and ultra-fudgy, these brownies boast layers of decadence with the exquisite flavors of German chocolate frosting, ensuring a delightful experience for your taste buds. (via Averie Cooks)

Dutch Baby Oven Pancake

This delightful Dutch Baby Oven Pancake is also known as "Deutscher Babyofenpfannkuchen" or a German pancake. Top it with powdered sugar, fresh citrus juice, and berries for a simple yet delightful breakfast. (via Completely Delicious)

Chewy German Hazelnut Macaroons

With only four ingredients—hazelnuts, egg whites, and sugar—these cookies, also known as Nussmakronen, offer a perfect blend for a sweet and effortless festive treat. (via Where Is My Spoon)

German Riesling Apple Cake

This cake is a delightful blend of Riesling wine and tart apples, creating a subtly sweet treat, perfect for cozy Sunday afternoons. (via The Bossy Kitchen)

Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine

Transport yourself to the festive Christmas markets of Germany with this mulled wine. This easy-to-make, warming delight combines red wine, apple cider, brandy, and a medley of spices, citrus, and maple syrup. (via Crowded Kitchen)

Is Blake Lively in any of Ryan Reynolds' movies?

Yes, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have been in the same movies! After meeting during the production of Green Lantern, Blake Lively has a role as an imaginary friend in Ryan Reynolds' new movie IF. In the film, Blake plays a kitten, and it looks like the child who dreamed her up also loves the ocean! This spring movie follows Ryan Reynolds' character and his neighbor Bea, who set out to save all the imaginary friends. It looks like such a fun watch and I can't wait to see the role Blake plays!

The movie also stars director John Krasinski, Cailey Fleming, Fiona Shaw, Alan Kim, Liza Colón-Zayas, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., and Steve Carell.

How do Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively prioritize their kids?

Blake Lively recently joined an episode of her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' costar Amber Tamblyn's Further Adoand revealed the one unbreakable rule she made with Ryan Reynolds.

“When Ryan and I got together, we made a rule not to work at the same time,” she says. “So that we could always prioritize our personal life...That takes working really hard when we're not. Just like financial planning and sustaining that; it takes balance.”

I love that Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are serious about their family life, and that they have identified what works for them and are sticking with it.

Is Taylor Swift friends with Blake Lively's kids?

Yes, Taylor Swift loves Blake Lively's kids! At the Philadelphia show of the Eras Tour, in which Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively attended, Taylor said hello from the stage.

One funny detail about Ryan Reynolds' kids that I love is when he mentioned the girls finally realized Taylor Swift was a popstar. "I think what's most exciting for them is that for the longest time they just thought Taylor's just like an aunt, like a friend of Mommy and Daddy that's very, very close, almost family," he tellsThe Jess Cagle Show. "And then they went to a concert one day and were like, 'Ohhhhh, this isn't a hobby.'"

For Super Bowl Sunday, Blake Lively joined Taylor Swift to support beau (and KC Chiefs tight end) Travis Kelce. "Last week I left my kids for the first time ever," she says on Instagram. "I took pictures upside down and had no clue. I treated a friendship bracelet like a Flat Stanley for my husband like I didn’t realize it wasn’t ‘07. I borrowed more jewelry than the skeleton in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. And I went clubbing. Now I know what my episode of TheTwilight Zone would look like."

How has motherhood affected Blake Lively?

Blake Lively recently opened up about how Ryan Reynolds and she monitor screen safety for their kids, which is definitely something top-of-mind in 2024. “This is not an ad. I get nothing out of this. I just love @tappityapp,” she said of the STEM-focused educational app. “It’s engaging, informative, fun and they care about safety."

She also jokes that she's learning new things right along with her daughters! But, no matter how educational or fun an app is, Blake Lively also emphasizes the importance of engaging with her kids' devices: "I’m always triple checking any kids app constantly for safety because that’s my responsibly not an app’s, but I do LOVE this one.”

Despite its fun and funny moments, the actress has admitted being a mom is hard, but she did it with her signature dry sense of humor. “BettyBooze at your service," she wrote in an Instagram Story announcing the new brand. "These are recipes I’ve been making for loved ones for years. But I have 4 kids now. And I’m tired. So here they are. In a can."

However, Lively absolutely loves motherhood, and says in a 2022 interview with Forbes that having children has made her feel more comfortable in her own skin. "Once I had children, that just became even more profound because my time was even more precious, but also I think having children for me made me feel so much more in my skin," she says. "I never felt more myself or at ease in my own body or more confident — not to say that there aren't a bevy of insecurities coming at me a million times a day, but I just feel incredibly settled."

Speaking with People in 2021, Lively also explains how important it is that her children see her accomplish things outside the home. "I want to be as present of a mother as humanly possible and I want them to feel my presence, but I also think the best way to be the best mother is to show them that you can have a life and have a passion and have an identity outside of just being a mother," Lively says.

While she acknowledges that motherhood is all-encompassing, and it looks different for everyone, she knows that having your own identity is very important. "Teaching them that they can maintain themselves and that everything is possible [is crucial]," she adds.

How many children do Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have?

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's children are four girls. They welcomed their third daughter in 2019, making this new addition to the family their fourth kid.

When did Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have their daughters?

Blake Lively's children were all born in the last 10 years. Blake Lively's kids' names are James, Inez, Betty, and a fourth baby whose name they haven't announced yet. She gave birth to James in 2014, while Inez was born in 2016. Lively gave birth to Betty in 2019 and their fourth baby in February of 2023. I'm hoping that we might find out Ryan Reynolds' new baby's name in honor of her first birthday!

Why did Blake Lively name her daughter James?

The couple decided to name their daughter James after Reynolds' late father. While the name connects both James and Reynolds to his father, it also gives Lively the chance to bond with her daughter over having historically male names. "I liked having a boy's name," Lively said on Good Morning Americain 2015. "I thought I'd pass it on."

Their third daughter Betty's name is a tribute to Lively's late father. We didn't know the name of the couple's third baby until Taylor Swift used all three names in her 2020 album folklore. Swift also used James' voice at the beginning of her 2017 track "Gorgeous"! Does that mean we'll hear one of Ryan Reynolds' children in Reputation (Taylor's Version)? I hope so!

What has Ryan Reynolds said about raising their kids?

Per People, Ryan Reynolds has made it clear he and Blake are wholly invested in the kids' daily lives. The doting husband and father enjoys the moments of "walking them to school and walking them back" as it deepens their bond. More than anything, Ryan and Blake's main goal is to make sure they teach their kids how to be introspective with Ryan saying, "...that's the thing we sort of hang our hat on the most is self-awareness with our kids."

However, that doesn't mean Blake and Ryan don't absolutely love being parents. "We're very excited [and] we wouldn't do this four times if we didn't love it," he says in an interview with CNBC's Power Lunch. "Everybody's doing great. Everybody's actually doing fantastic. I think if we hadn't figured it out by now, I think we'd be in deep, deep trouble."

"It's a zoo over here," he jokes. "This is my office here, this is where I'll probably — to be honest, I'll probably spend the rest of my life in here."

We love how much energy Ryan and Blake are pouring into their kids. It's always beautiful when parents are able to be present with their kids and teach them how to be present with themselves. Ryan Reynolds has also mentioned how having daughters "has been such a ride." Since he comes from a family of all boys, having daughters is something that was beyond his wildest dreams! “I love being a girl dad,” Ryan tells Access. “I have three daughters, which I never in a million years would imagine.”

He mentioned his newest daughter in June of 2023, when he announced his new series Bedtime Stories. "The idea for a show made to help everyone fall asleep was born the same day as my fourth child," he says on Instagram.

Did Blake Lively have a 4th baby?

Blake Lively posted a pic on Super Bowl Sunday showing what appears to be a post-baby body with the caption "Been busy."

Lively confirmed her fourth pregnancy in September 2022 when she arrived at her Forbes event in NYC cradling a baby bump and by posting her own personal photos on Instagramhoping that "the 11 guys waiting outside [her] home for a 🦄 sighting will leave [her] alone."

What gender is Ryan and Blakes 4th child?

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's newest baby, who was born in February of 2023, is a girl! Reynolds explained on the Today Show that they "never find out" until the baby is born, and whether they decide to reveal it is totally up to them. So, does Ryan Reynolds have a son? So far, not yet, but I'm a firm believer in never say never ;).

What is the name of Blake Lively's 4th baby?

Since Taylor Swift used the Blake Lively's kids names in folklore, Swifties think they've guessed Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' new baby's name.

"Calling it now Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds baby is going to be named Daisy Mae," Kaitlyn Kersten tweeted after the release of Taylor Swift's Midnights in October 2022 (the name is mentioned in "You're On Your Own Kid").

One thing is for sure: Ryan Reynolds doesn't plan on spilling the details of their fourth baby's name anytime soon. He appeared on the Today show earlier today and made a cheeky joke about it after the hosts urged him to spill the beans. He said, "We always wait for Taylor to tell us what the child's name will be. We'll say this: we're still waiting."

While we still don't have official word on what Ryan Reynolds' new baby name is, we do think that James, Inez, Betty, and Daisy sound great together!

Do Blake and Ryan have nannies?

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' children don't have a nanny. "I feel like I could sometimes have a bit of a short fuse, but there's just been this weirdly endless supply of patience," Ryan told GQ in 2015. "I have no problem waking up five times in the middle of the night and changing diapers, and as exhausted as you get, I have this stupid grin on my face all the time."

How long have Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively been married?

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have been married for 11 years. The couple got married in 2012 at a former slave plantation in South Carolina, a location that the couple is "unreservedly sorry for," Reynolds told Fast Company in 2020.

How did Blake and Ryan meet?

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds met on the set of their film Green Lantern in 2010. After they filmed the movie, they ended up going out with other people, until a train ride changed everything! “Next thing you know, she was going to Boston, and I was going to Boston,” Ryan says on an episode of the SmartLess podcast. “So we got on a train and rode together and then, you know, I was just begging her to sleep with me.” Their relationship quickly evolved to the one we know and love today!

Was Blake Lively married before Ryan Reynolds?

Ryan Reynolds is Blake Lively's first husband, but before they got married, the actress dated her Gossip Girl costar Penn Padgley and also reportedly dated Leonardo DiCaprio. Ryan Reynolds was married to MCU star Scarlett Johansson from 2008 to 2010.

Who is Blake Lively's half sister?

Blake Lively's half-sister is Robyn Lively. Robyn also works in Hollywood, just like Blake's brother Eric Lively and brother-in-law Bart Johnson.