Chile

Chef Robert Del Grande of Cafe Annie, in Houston, serves a fillet of beef with a coffee chile sauce — we think the flavor combination also works well with the succulence of short ribs. We recommend serving these ribs over soft polenta. Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 4 1/2 hr

For this simple—yet boldly flavored—entrée, tuna or sea bass can be substituted. Chilies in the sauce add nice heat.

Poblano chilies (fresh green chilies), tomatillos (green tomato-like fruits), dried corn husks, and Masa Harina are found at many supermarkets and Latin American markets.

The name of this cake derives from the flavors that are reminiscent of the classic mole, an aromatic, delicious chocolaty savory sauce that originated in Pueblo, Mexico. I have always thought that dried chiles were a surprisingly good match for chocolate, and with the addition of canela, cloves, and pumpkin seeds, the full mole flavors emerge. For a shortcut, substitute sectioned grapefruit for the orange caramel.

For this salsa, we prefer the tang of a regular pineapple — not too ripe and not "extra sweet." Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 1 hr

Medallones de Filete con Mantequilla de Tres Chiles Gaia, a beautifully restored house-turned-restaurant, located in one of the country's oldest cities, blends Mexican and Mediterranean cooking. One of the best dining spots is upstairs overlooking the patio and garden. If you get a chance, take a peek at the bottom of the pool. Legend has it that the mosaic of the fertility goddess was created by Mexican artist Diego Rivera for Mario Moreno (known as Cantinflas), the famous Mexican actor who once lived in the home. At Gaia, french fries sprinkled with cayenne pepper accompany the beef.

"When a friend celebrated her birthday at El Teddy's in New York City's TriBeCa, I really enjoyed trying the innovative dishes there," says Thea DeSando of New York, New York. "But the one thing I couldn't get enough of was the salsa—smoky and full of tomato flavor. Is there any way you can get the recipe?"

This Cambodian curry is traditionally made with beef, but Mao Sokhen says his American friends prefer the chicken variation. Though you can use any brand of Thai red curry paste and Asian fish sauce for this recipe, Mao likes the brands recommended below because he finds they produce a dish that is closer to classic Cambodian flavor.

Chiles Rellenos con Huevos y Tocino con Salsa de Queso Chihuahua Translated, Las Ventanas al Paraíso means "Windows to Paradise." With an ocean view from nearly every room, four infinity pools that seem to stretch to the sea, and a personal escort to your room (no front desk), the name is no exaggeration. The peacefulness is a sharp contrast to the bustle of Los Cabos, just outside the property's doors. If you can bear to venture outside your beautiful room, try the resort's two restaurants — the Sea Grill, where you'll find contemporary Mexican offerings like this breakfast version of chiles rellenos, and The Restaurant, which uses local ingredients to create delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

Tomatoes and bell pepper also give color and flavor to this impressive side dish.

Green chilies and cilantro add some zip to this main course.

Tomatillos are the key ingredient in this alluring green sauce. They have an unusual and pleasant tartness that works well with a variety of dishes. I pair this mojo with a grand Fish in Foil . The sauce has the brightness of a lemon with the attendant complexity you'd expect of the other ingredients that go into making it.

The abundant use of leafy greens is one of the hallmarks of the food of the African continent in general. Here, the familiar collard green, which has become emblematic of African-American cooking, is given an Ethiopian twist in a dish that can be served either warm or at room temperature.

Ground turkey would make a fine substitute for beef in these Southwest-style burgers (grill until cooked through).