Garlic Dill Pickles

It’s unfair how little presence Iranian food has in the restaurant world. A cuisine as sophisticated and influential deserves the spotlight, and food explorers should have the opportunity to try Persian flavors and ingredients in all their glory. In this episode, Guillermo visits Sofreh in Brooklyn, and meets chef and owner Nasim Alikhani, to learn how to make her version of a traditional North Iranian bean and dill stew (baghali ghatogh). This recipe makes it easy for home cooks to introduce Iranian flavors and techniques into their kitchens. Move over chickpea stew! This hearty dish has the potential to become the next "It" recipe. The stew is completely vegan, and with the addition of a poached egg on top, you can make this a crowd-pleaser.

Kimchi has conquered the world! Most people know this popular Korean side dish as fermented cabbage, but the truth is you can kimchi pretty much any vegetable and fruit. Food explorers seek it at restaurants and/or specialty stores. This fermented delicacy is an immune-system boosting probiotic food, that includes "healthy bacteria". In the season finale of CHOW-TO, Atoboy's chef de cuisine YeongSoo Lee teaches Guillermo the basics on how to make the Korean staple. There is not one right recipe, here we learn the principles, and the idea is to make it your own. Kimchi is so customizable, that traditional Napa cabbage is just the start. YeongSoo shows us a couple of other variations for inspiration. Move over pickles, time to do some fermenting at home.

This easy pot roast is packed with flavor thanks to 8 whole heads of garlic, roasted so they're mellow and sweet, plus some fresh garlic for kick, and a rich gravy full of meaty flavor. The secret ingredient: crushed gingersnaps, which help thicken the sauce and add a lovely spicy flavor perfect for fall and winter. Get the recipe.

This warm, cheesy artichoke dip is a garlicky crowd-pleaser perfect for Thanksgiving, football games, and dinner parties in general. Get the recipe.

This comforting tomato soup is super easy and super delicious. Canned San Marzano tomatoes marry with soft, sautéed onions and garlic, a pinch of red pepper, and chicken broth to create a soothing, savory bowl. Finished with a bit of cream, this is begging for a grilled cheese sandwich on the side. But really, it tastes great with lots of things, as well as on its own (though a basil and Parmesan garnish doesn't hurt). Read more.

Split pea soup is a comfort food classic, and this version couldn't be easier. Just place dried split peas in your slow cooker, top them with diced mirepoix (carrot, celery, and onion), plus some garlic, parsley, and bay leaf. Add a ham bone or ham hocks for a little smoky meatiness, and cover it all with chicken or vegetable stock, then turn on the crockpot and walk away. The result is creamy, hearty, and freezes well, so you can make a big batch to keep extra on hand for the next time you need a soothing soup, stat. Read more.