Chile

This easy guacamole recipe is best made in a Mexican mortar and pestle called a molcajete, but a bowl and a fork works fine. Just don’t rush to get it on the table. It takes a while for the avocado to absorb all the flavors you add to it. 

Dried chiles add tons of complex flavor to this saucy, shreddable chicken with little extra work—our kind of cooking.

In this 30-minute dinner, tofu braises in soy sauce, mirin, and vinegar until it’s richly flavored.

Sure, pickled cucumbers are great. But have you tried pickled cauliflower? Its crunchy brightness makes for an ideal counterpoint to rich dishes.

These bright and succulent grilled chicken breasts are perfect for wrapping in warm tortillas with spoonfuls of fresh salsa verde. 

Hot honey is good on everything: pizza, biscuits, and these crispy, low-fuss grilled wings.

Spicy charred tomato sauce inspired by the Thai condiment nam prik complements silky grilled eggplant and crunchy peanuts in this meat-free masterpiece.

If you love the sour-salty-sweet Thai green papaya salad, you’ll love this peak-summer version made with tomatoes and cucumbers.

A summer-inspired take on Thai sweet chili sauce with fresh peaches pairs perfectly with simply grilled scallops for an easy appetizer.

Make the most of juicy summer stone fruit with this sweet-and-salty Vietnamese-inspired farro salad, studded with grilled corn and ripe plums.

The marinade for these “simple but sublime” grilled pork steaks is packed with tons of Thai flavors anchored by garlic, cilantro, and white peppercorns.

Juicy summer melon with a salty-sweet crunchy bacon topping makes for a low-effort but universally crowd-pleasing appetizer.

This month we were all about spring veg and comfort food.

Tangy, spicy, and herbaceous, tuk trey ping poh is a versatile Khmer condiment that’s great served with any protein and as a dipping sauce and a base for soups and curries. Make extra!

Lemon, green chiles, and sesame seeds add intrigue to these simple, extra-snappy cucumber pickles.

Fried eggs, pico de gallo, melty cheese, and refried beans, all piled atop crusty bread.

These light and eggy cheese puffs are channeling your favorite bar snack.

This version of the classic East African-Indian chicken curry will help you see your broiler in a whole new light.

Normally we’d cook meat or fish with the rice so the flavors mingle, but because shrimp cook so fast, we like to pan-fry them and toss with the rice at the very end. 

Tangy, smoky, and just a touch spicy, this simple salsa made with charred tomatoes shows how just a few ingredients can transform into something truly spectacular.

This salad uses ancient grains to create a dish that reflects Mexico and the American South. For chef Maricela Vega it meshes both of their histories while making the most of the foods she is surrounded by.

Make room in your pantry for a chile collection.

This herby, peppery blend is used as a seasoning for many traditional dishes from Trinidad and Tobago.

A vibrant Thai sausage made with ground chicken, plus its spicy chile dip, from chef Parnass Savang of Atlanta’s Talat Market.