Name: Chicken Pot-au-Feu
Cook time: 1 hr
Total time: 5 hr
Yield: Makes 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 (4-lb) chicken (preferably organic); 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 bunch fresh thyme; 2 qt chicken stock or canned broth; 1 qt water; 1 large onion stuck with 1 whole clove; 1 head garlic, left unpeeled and halved horizontally; 1 celery rib; 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf; 8 small leeks (1 1/2 lb; white and pale green parts only), root ends trimmed but leeks left intact; 12 small (1 1/2- to 2-inch) boiling potatoes (1 1/4 lb); 12 small carrots (1 1/4 lb), peeled; 8 small parsnips (1 1/4 lb), peeled; 1 large celery root (1 3/4 lb), peeled with a paring knife and cut into 1/2-inch wedges; 1 garlic clove; 2 teaspoons capers, rinsed; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 cups chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley; 2 cups coarsely chopped tender watercress sprigs; 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; Garnish: watercress sprigs; an instant-read thermometer

We recommend using the freshest watercress possible — if not at its best, it can give the sauce a slightly bitter taste. (Try hydroponic watercress; it's generally better than conventionally grown supermarket cress.)

Tanis suggests skimming all the fat from the cooking liquid and serving the broth as a first-course soup, garnished with toasted slices of French bread.

Cooks' notes:

• Stuffed and seasoned uncooked chicken can be chilled, loosely covered, up to 1 day.

• Watercress sauce can be made 2 hours ahead and chilled, covered.

Recipe notes

Cod With Lemon Butter Sauce

A flurry of fresh tarragon makes this speedy weeknight dish of seared cod and luscious, sun-colored pan sauce feel restaurant worthy.

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Hot Honey–Glazed Salmon

This broiled hot honey salmon recipe results in sweet, spicy, glossy fish coated in a homemade hot honey glaze for an easy weeknight dinner or make-ahead lunch.

Classic French Vinaigrette

Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.

Easy Banana Bread Recipe

Our go-to banana bread recipe is moist, nutty, and incredibly easy to make.

Super Seedy Power Cookies

As energizing as an energy bar, with a much simpler ingredient list.

Speedy Chicken Stroganoff

This easy, one-skillet chicken stroganoff features tender chicken breasts, savory mushrooms, and a creamy Dijon-crème fraîche sauce—perfect for weeknights.

Meatball Tagine

Warming harissa and cinnamon, briny olives, and sweet dried fruit make up the flavorful base for this weeknight-friendly take on tagine.