How to choose:

Choose chiles that are shiny and firm pods with strong, uniform color. They should feel dense and heavy for their size; good examples of even the very smallest ones will feel heavier. Avoid chiles that are flaccid, wrinkled, bruised, blemished, or discolored.

Recipes

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  Recipe

  Spicy Tropical Fruit Salad

  This sweet-and-spicy salad is a perfect way to wake up palates for a winter brunch or breakfast.

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  Shaved Cucumber Salad

  This bright, crisp, and refreshing salad pairs well with stir-fries or with seared steak or salmon.

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  Recipe

  Pork, Lemongrass, and Noodle Stir-Fry

  This slightly spicy Thai-inspired stir-fry makes a satisfying one-dish meal, but it's also delicious paired with Shaved Cucumber Salad.

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  Recipe

  Green Bean Salad with Coriander Oil

  Every Sunday, we would have a big family meal, and my mother always cooked green beans when they were in season. This recipe always reminds me of her. I think…

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  Recipe

  Garlic and Chile Seared Shrimp

  Put out a plate of sizzling shrimp, and just watch the crowd gather. Curry leaves—no relation to the powder—add a subtle lemon-meets-onion flavor. If you must, you can omit them…

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  Sake-Steamed Mussels

  For a change from white wine-steamed mussels, make sake the base of an Asian-inspired broth. Serve with crusty or toasted bread to mop up the sauce.

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  Recipe

  Black Rice and Pistachio Salad

  Pistachios underscore the subtle sweetness of black rice. Known as “forbidden” rice because it was originally reserved for the emperors of ancient China, black rice has a tender, slightly chewy…

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  Recipe

  Crab Toasts with Smashed Avocado and Bloody Mary Aïoli

  “I really love seafood as a starter, and these crostini are great to nibble on,” says chef Luke Thomas. Rich but also light-feeling, they make a perfect small bite before…

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  Recipe

  Whole-Grain Farfalle with Spicy Shrimp and Roasted Peppers

  Here, the rustic whole-grain pasta is enhanced with the mild sweetness of roasted peppers and shrimp, and the kick of a spicy garlic marinade. You can use jarred roasted peppers,…

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  Recipe

  Whole-Grain Penne with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Corn

  Sweet, chewy dried tomatoes and brown butter infused with orange zest and spicy chile boost the whole-grain flavors of the pasta in this simple yet scrumptious weeknight dish. Thai basil…