If you're feeling under the weather or just can't imagine another trip to the grocery store in a snowstorm, it's stew to the rescue. These hearty stew recipes can be made ahead of time and are also easy to freeze. So stock up, make extra portions and you'll be set with comfort food for dinner all week long.

1. Bobby Deen's Mediterranean Chicken Stew (pictured above)

Hearty doesn't have to mean unhealthy. Bobby Deen's recipe calls for skinless boneless chicken thighs, trimmed of all fat. Ingredients like basil, lemon, garlic and a touch of white wine make the dish pack a ton of flavor with fewer calories.

This stew is named for the traditionally squirrel-meat and onion stew from Brunswick County, Virginia, that originated in 1828. Today, it is generally made with rabbit or chicken and often contains a variety of vegetables including okra, lima beans, tomatoes and corn. This version incorporates both chicken breasts and pork tenderloin to create a meal that will fill you completely.

Rachael's Catalan-inspired stew incorporates a homemade picada (made from blended almonds, bread, parsley, lemon and garlic) into the mix and can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to combine and serve.

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