in a large , 12-inch skillet , heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat', 'add half the beef and brown well on all sides', 'place the meat in a soaked 3-quart clay pot', 'brown remaining beef in additional 1 tablespoon oil', 'add this batch to pot', 'add the broth to the skillet and bring to a boil , scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan', 'pour into a bowl and set aside', 'place the skillet over medium-high heat and heat the remaining oil', 'add the onion , bell pepper , garlic , and ginger , and saute for about 8 minutes , until the onions are translucent', 'add the sauteed vegetables to the clay pot', 'add the peanut butter , tomatoes , thyme , cinnamon , allspice , hot-pepper flakes , and lemon juice to the reserved broth , mixing until well combined', 'add this to the pot and stir to coat meat and vegetables', 'cover the pot and place it in a cold oven', 'set the oven temperature to 450 degrees f and cook for 1 hour , or until the meat is tender and the sauce thick and creamy'

place the sugar in a 1-quart clay pot and add just enough water to barely wet it', 'place over moderate heat until the sugar starts to brown , about 3 to 5 minutes', 'stir once , then add the oil and garlic', 'stir for 1 minute , then add the boiling water , fish sauce and catfish pieces', turn the pieces so they're evenly coated with the sauce, 'reduce the heat to a soft simmer', 'cover and cook for 5 m inutes , until the catfish is firm and almost done', 'uncover , and continue to simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes , until the sauce thickens slightly', 'remove from heat and garnish with the onion , cilantro and pepper', 'serve right in the clay pot', 'you do not need to use aclaypot , and iron pot will work too'

in a non-metal bowl , combine the ingredients for the marinade , mix well , and marinate the pieces of chicken for at least half a day , turning frequently', 'when ready to cook , presoak pot , top and bottom , in water for 15 minutes', 'add the chicken and the marinade to the pot', 'place covered pot in a cold oven', 'set temperature to 450 degrees f', 'cook 45 minutes', 'ten minutes before end of cooking time , remove the pot and pour off the liquid into a saucepan', 'return the pot to the oven , uncovered , for the final 10 minutes of cooking', 'meanwhile , bring the liquid in saucepan to a boil and thicken with cornstarch', 'serve with rice , liberally drenched with the sauce', 'for an optional chinese touch , sprinkle the chicken with almonds and sesame seeds'

wash chicken under cold water', 'pat dry with absorbent paper', 'cut into small pieces', 'place in a dish with the soy sauce and sherry , cover and marinate for 30 minutes in the refrigerator', 'soak mushrooms in hot water to cover for 30 minutes', 'drain , squeeze to remove excess liquid', 'remove stems and chop caps into shreds', 'wash leeks thoroughly to remove all grit', 'cut leeks and sweet potato / carrot into thin slices', 'drain the chicken , reserving the marinade', 'heat half the oil in a wok or heavy-based frying pan', 'carefully add half the chicken pieces and stirfry briefly until seared on all sides', 'transfer to a flameproof clay pot or casserole dish', 'stirfry the remaining chicken and add to the clay pot', 'heat remaining oil in wok , add leek and ginger , stirfry for 1 minute', 'add mushrooms , the remaining marinade , stock and sesame oil', 'transfer to the clay pot , add sweet potato / carrot and cook , covered , on the top of the stove over a very low heat for about 20 minutes', 'dissolve cornflour with a little water and add to the pot', 'cook , stirring , until the mixture boils and thickens', 'serve the chicken and vegetables at once with rice or noodles'

wash the rice , then stir in the rest of the ingredients except for the garnishes', 'cook the mixture in a rice-cooker as you normally would for rice', 'garnish the cooked rice with the shallots and spring onion', 'if you like , drizzle a little more dark soy sauce over and serve'

soak clay pot for 15 min', 'rub chicken with garlic , salt , pepper , caraway seeds , parsley , italian dressing and marinate overnight you can rub your chicken and bake it right away , but it will taste much better , if marinated', 'in a clay pot , add potatoes , carrots and chicken on top', 'place your clay pot in the cold oven and roast at 430f for 1', '5 hours'