Recipes with serrano chiles

Fresh salsa fresca with tomatoes, tomato juice, jalapeno, serrano chile, cilantro, and garlic. A double-heat Mexican salsa that needs 2 hours to chill for the flavors to meld.

Baingan bharta-style smoked eggplant: fire-charred eggplant simmered with onion, tomato, garam masala, and green chiles. A smoky, spicy Indian classic to scoop with naan.

Salsa verde with boiled tomatillos and serrano chile pureed smooth, then mixed with raw onion, cilantro, lemon juice, and olive oil. Bright, tangy, and quick to make.

Grilled mahi mahi with a spicy Asian pear salsa of plum sauce, serrano chili, cilantro, and honey. A Pacific Rim fish dinner in 40 minutes.

Thai-style glass noodle salad (yum woon sen) with chicken and shrimp, dressed in lime, fish sauce, and serrano chiles. Bright, spicy, and cool, served over shredded lettuce.

Thai-style glass noodle salad (yum woon sen) with chicken and shrimp, dressed in lime, fish sauce, and serrano chiles. Bright, spicy, and cool, served over shredded lettuce.

Santa Fe black bean cakes made from scratch with dried black beans, bacon, serrano chiles, ancho powder, and cumin. Pan-fried until crisp and served with sour cream and salsa.

Guacamole de la Mixteca: an authentic Oaxaca-region guacamole with ripe avocado, white onion, serrano chile, and cilantro. Mashed chunky in a molcajete, no lime, no fuss.

Chicharron en salsa verde features crispy pork rinds simmered in a tangy tomatillo and serrano chile sauce until tender. A classic Mexican comfort dish served with warm tortillas and refried beans.

Thai stir-fried beef with holy basil (pad gra pao) made with flank steak, serrano chilies, garlic, fish sauce, and fresh basil over lettuce. An authentic Thai street food dish with serious heat.

Thin somen noodles stir-fried with seared steak strips, serrano chilies, fresh mint, and a soy-oyster sauce glaze. A fast, fiery Asian noodle bowl.

Southwestern avocado vichyssoise with roasted poblanos, tomatillos, mint, and ginger, blended creamy with potatoes and avocado. Served chilled with a smoky chipotle sour cream drizzle.

Mexican octopus salad with kidney beans, corn, and red bell pepper in a spicy chile-cumin-oregano dressing. Tender octopus tossed cold with bold Southwestern flavors.

Peanut-chile sauce: a spicy, creamy dipping and drizzling sauce with serrano, piquin, garlic, ginger, lime, and peanut butter. Perfect for satay, noodles, and grilled meats.

Layered Creole vegetable casserole with okra, lima beans, corn, peppers, and tomato, topped with crumb-coated sautéed okra. A vegetarian gumbo-inspired bake that gets better the next day.