Lest you think that braising and stewing is only for meat, I'm reposting this recipe from last spring--it's a great way to use up extra lettuce that you might get in your CSA share.
One of my favorite recipes from Simply in Season, this recipe is an excellent example of a stew. Don't let the long list of spices turn you off - it goes together rather quickly.
Slow cooking: It turns tough meats tender and brings out delicious flavor in vegetables. The only downfall is that, as you might expect, it takes a long time.