The numbing sensation is due to a compound called hydroxy-alpha-sanshool that causes a biting astringency on your mouth's "touch" receptors. When combined with chiles or spices like star anise, garlic ...

Bill Esparza is a James Beard award-winning food journalist, author of LA Mexicano, and onscreen food television personality covering food in United States and Latin America. Homemade salsas are ...

There are so many kinds of red-pepper flakes. Getting to know them all can give your dishes a glow up. By viewing dried chile flakes not just by heat level but by flavor, home cooks can wander a world ...

Continuing my quest to demystify the use of dried chiles in your kitchen, today I’m sharing one of my favorite Mexican guisados (stews) that highlights the use of dried chiles: Chile Colorado.