Italian-Style Chicken Stew

Replace Italian seasoning and black pepper with 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp chipotle chile powder and 1/2 tsp each ground cumin and cinnamon. Substitute 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans for cannellini beans. Eliminate olives and basil. Serve with 6 flour tortillas and Spanish rice, if desired.

Substitute Italian seasoning, garlic salt and black pepper with 1/2 tsp ground ginger and 1/4 tsp allspice. Add 1 large chopped green pepper, 1 can (8 ounces) drained pineapple chunks, 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 2 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce and 1 tbsp sugar when adding onion. Eliminate olives and basil. Serve over cooked angel hair pasta.

Replace Italian seasoning with herbes de Provence and sliced onion with 2 cups thawed frozen pearl onions. Eliminate diced tomatoes, tapioca, beans, olives and basil. Substitute with 1 cup dry red wine and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Add 2 cups quartered white mushrooms and 2 large chopped carrots when adding onions. Serve over cooked egg noodles.

Replace Italian seasoning and black pepper with 3 tsp curry powder and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper. Add 1 lb peeled potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, when adding onion. Substitute 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas for cannellini beans. Eliminate olives and basil. Serve with cooked basmati rice and naan, if desired. Make it kid-friendly by reducing cayenne to a pinch.