Pulled Chicken is simple to make and can be versatile with lots of different dishes. For a Tex-Mex flair, drain and chop a 4-oz. can of pickled jalapenos and stir them into the sauce along with a seeded, chopped chipotle. Use Pulled Chicken in burritos or to top nachos.
Italian ragus tend to be long-simmered dishes, but a French ragout is a quicker affair, a thick, cheesy stew. Tossed over pasta, this one is a true fusion, a halfway point between ragu and ragout.
This bark makes a lovely holiday gift from the kitchen. Fill a plate or cup with candy, then gather up clear cellophane around it and tie with red and green ribbons. —Susan Wacek, Pleasanton, California
