Chile

Filet mignon gets a Southwestern twist from Cucina Rustica restaurant in Sedona, Arizona, with smoky chipotle chiles amping up the creamy Gorgonzola and shiitake mushroom sauce. Any leftover steak and sauce makes a delicious sandwich on crusty bread with peppery arugula.

The chile vinaigrette here will perk up an otherwise ho-hum dish with some heat and tang. For a tasty variation, use sweet potatoes instead of acorn squash.

New York’s Momofuku Ssäm Bar is certainly worth a visit at least once, but you’re sure to make these Brussels sprouts from chef David Chang at least twice—in the same week. While this signature dish is deep-fried at Ssäm Bar, the secret to Chang’s home preparation is roasting the mini cabbages at 450°F, maximizing their sweet, nutty flavor and crisping their beautiful green leaves. The recipe is written for slightly charred results; if you prefer your vegetables more green than golden brown, check them after 20 minutes or so.

A symbol of France’s influence on Vietnam, the banh mi sandwich showcases the tangy pickled vegetables of Southeast Asia in a French baguette piled with meat and pâté. This recipe calls for liverwurst instead of the traditional pork pâté, and roast chicken, though roast pork can be substituted for a richer flavor. Spice lovers should add a few dashes of sriracha, the sandwich’s customary condiment.

This dish from Epicurious member Christopher Curtis of Halifax, Canada, pairs well with Mexican, barbecue, or various fish dishes. Easy to make, the rice is infused with natural smoke from the grilled corn and peppers. Add chipotles to enhance that smokiness, or throw in some sausage, such as chorizo, for a meaty main course.

Freshly husked and oven-broiled, roasted tomatillos provide a smoky warmth you just won’t find in jarred salsa. To reduce the sodium here, use half the suggested amount of salt; the flavor will pick right back up with tortilla chips. While fresh tomatillos are an end-of-summer through fall item, you can use the canned variety to whip this up; and play around with the pepper selection to personalize your dip and control the heat.

Add a chipotle chile for a subtle kick to this chunky guacamole, then serve it with multicolored corn tortilla chips for a stunning platter. Double the recipe if you plan to serve a crowd.

For your next Tex-Mex dinner, opt for this colorful summer salsa that features seasonal ingredients such as avocado, green onions, and mango. Serve it with black beans and rice, or heap it on jerk chicken or grilled fish for a fresh and healthy lunch or dinner any night of the week.

Maque choux, a traditional Cajun dish of fresh corn, stewed tomatoes, and tender okra, is guaranteed to bring a burst of juicy heat to herb-roasted chicken or a meaty white fish. Mop up the savory side with a corn muffin or pair it with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Requiring nothing more than chopping and sautéing, this side is an easy go-to dish for summertime fare.

With just a few ingredients, many of which are probably already in your pantry, you get a satisfying and flavor-packed meal with this steak and slaw combo. Red jalapeños are simply the ripe form of the green ones, and either version works in this slaw. If you’re nervous about the heat, remove the seeds and veins from the peppers or use one instead of two. Serranos make a spicier substitute.

This grain-based veggie burger is an excellent change from traditional bean or tofu varieties. Cooked kasha’s firmness balances the soft sautéed vegetables for a robust texture.

Tender chicken shot through with a simple marinade and livened with a spicy-sweet Tex-Mex sauce works well for a casual dinner party or a regular old Wednesday night. This dish, originally from Golden Annie’s in Frisco, Colorado, can be prepared in advance, although don’t worry if you only have time to let the chicken marinate a few hours.

Crispy, crunchy, spicy, and best of all, easy, from chefs Bruce Aidells and Nancy Oakes. Fill a few bowls with lime cream, tangy tomatillo salsa, and quick-pickled toppings (all of which can be made in advance) for a make-your-own taco buffet. Baja purists, feel free to insist on mahimahi for the fish, but sea bass, tilapia, cod, and catfish all stand up equally well to the buttermilk batter.

The combination of plump fresh fish, juicy red bell peppers, sweet onion squares, and pungent cilantro makes for an eye-catching presentation. For additional color, thread yellow, orange, and green bell peppers onto the skewers, or you can tame the heat with thick peach slices. And feel free to swap wooden skewers for the metal variety; just be sure to give them the requisite pregrilling soak of about 30 minutes. Serve these lively kebabs with a simple green salad.

Fiery adobo sauce is the secret ingredient in this classic first course. Chopped cucumber, crunchy celery, and silky avocado help round out the spicy sauce, making it hearty enough for a quick and easy light lunch and perfect for a hot summer afternoon.

Mexican chef Roberto Santibañez invented this dish. Fresh corn adds a bright note to the buttery pudding, which pairs well with ribs, chicken, or salmon. Not a meat eater? Omit the ham without missing out on the bold variety of flavors. The pudding calls for instant corn masa mix, sometimes called masa harina, which can be found in the international aisle of the grocery store. This recipe easily doubles or triples for larger gatherings.

A great recipe is like a strong friendship—it gets better with age. Epicurious member Sooz Wolhuter of Laguna Beach, California, crafted this cabbage salad years ago, riffing on a coleslaw recipe. The blend of ribboned cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, peppers, and green onions mixed with spicy soy and chile garlic is perfect for large gatherings. If peanuts aren’t enough protein for you, add some seared Ahi tuna or grilled sliced chicken to bulk it up.

Raw Green Tomatillo Salsa While salsas made from red tomatoes are often on the table, especially in central Mexico, it is the green salsas made with tomates verdes, the smaller, papery husk–wrapped tomatillos of the same nightshade family, that predominate in most of the country. This simple salsa with its tart chile flavor is a surprising accent for any grilled meat.