Beverages and Cocktails

Spicy Green Grape Margarita

Makes 2 cocktails Heat levels can vary widely in jalapeños, so always test the heat before adding them to the recipe. If using mild jalapeños, you may use 2 chiles in the recipe. Ingredients 1/2 lime, cut into 4 wedges Tajín or other chili-lime seasoning, for the rim 2 ½ […]

Main Dishes, Soups and Stews

Spicy Kimchi Stew with Pork

Makes 8 portions Kimchi is salty, a little sour, and sure, sort of funky, but definitely in a great way. This fermented chile-rubbed cabbage and scallion mixture is a great base for dishes, like this stew, and the easiest side to add some new flavors to old favorites, like roast […]

Salads, Side Dishes

Spicy Thai Cucumber Salad

Cut the cucumbers in half lengthwise, remove all the seeds, and cut into thin slices. In a mixing bowl, combine the sliced cucumbers with the lime juice, sugar, salt, chiles, and onions, and marinate for 15 minutes. Add the mint, cilantro, and peanuts, toss, and adjust seasoning as necessary. Serve […]

Main Dishes

Spicy Tofu with Mushrooms

Makes 4 portions If you can’t find oyster mushrooms, you can use any mix of mushrooms that are available. For the cornstarch slurry, combine about 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water. You may not use it all; add it slowly to avoid a gummy sauce. Ingredients 3/4 tsp Sichuan […]

Beverages and Cocktails

Spicy Watermelon Refresher

Makes about 8 servings The key to this perfect summer refresher is great watermelon, so if your melon is a dud, you may want to try something else. Of course, you can also make the same mixture with cantaloupe or pineapple (or basically any other fruit!), so pick what’s tastiest […]

Main Dishes

Strozzapreti with Fish Stew

Strozzapreti is a hand-rolled pasta that is like a longer cavatelli, so look for that as a substitute, if needed. Makes 4 to 6 servings Ingredients Fish Stew 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 garlic clove, smashed 1 medium sweet white onion, chopped 1/2 cup dry white wine One 6-oz […]

Main Dishes, Sandwiches

Sweet and Spicy Ricotta Toast with Figs

Makes 4 servings If you like sweet but not spicy, skip the chili oil step. If you can’t get your hands on fresh figs, you can use fig jam, sliced berries, or peaches. For a vegetarian version, try adding salted nut butter or grilled eggplant. Ingredients 1/2 cup olive oil, […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus, Family Fun

What Makes Food Spicy?

Do you like spicy food? If the answer is yes – join the club! If the answer is no – well, join the other club, because there are lots of people just like you! Have you ever wondered why certain foods are so spicy? Spicy foods burn our mouths thanks […]