Chase winter blues with pork and poultry stews

One of the few comforts of being held captive indoors by winter weather is in the kitchen.

It's around the stove that the dormant senses, dulled by the cold are awakened by the sizzle of bacon on a Saturday morning; the aroma of mulled cider, spiced with lemon rind, cloves, and cinnamon simmering on the back burner; and the heady fragrance of an earthy stew that's been slowly cooking.

It's almost enough to erase the memories of lolling by the pool, or the smell of freshly mown grass, or watching fireflies spark an August eve.

But it is winter. Deal with it. Hunker down and chop some chipotle. Here are a couple of stews to keep the whistling winds at bay.