Fresh and dried cranberries, tomatoes, mustard seeds and fragrant curry spices enliven this zesty chicken stew. Excellent prepared ahead and reheated, it makes a convenient casual company entree. Serve with brown basmati rice.

To make ahead: Cool, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

“Cranberries can be momentary pleasures, just around for late autumn—that is, unless you think to stock ahead. Buy a packet or two for the freezer so you can make this quick supper all year long. (Or out of season, look for frozen whole cranberries in the freezer case of your local market.)”

Kitchen tip: To make quick work of chopping cranberries, place whole berries in a food processor and pulse a few times until the berries are coarsely chopped.

On the tiny artists’ island of Burano near Venice, I was served a first course of shrimp risotto that simply beguiled me. As soon as I returned home I set about re-creating this achingly fresh dish. Many pounds of rice later, I hit upon a recipe that I believe comes close to the original. Until I return to A Romano, it’ll do just nicely. – by David Leite