With the last gasp of winter upon us, why not take comfort in a bowl of spicy soup until spring comes. These five soups have more than a burst of chile-inducing heat in common. They are all so flavorful and fresh-tasting, it's hard to believe they originated from a box, can, or plastic tub. Do you have any favorites? More

A few months ago, I came across a tomato-based salsa at a Mexican restaurant that I couldn't stop dipping the tortilla chips in. It had all the major salsa players: tomatoes, onions and chiles. But there was something a little different about this salsa, a spice or herb that I couldn't quite put my finger on. It added a touch of earthiness, maybe even smokiness? What could it be? More

Pink peppercorns are deceiving little things. They're not actually peppercorns but, in fact, dried berries cultivated in Madagascar. To me, these faux peppercorns have a delicate floral taste with a spark of pepperiness. More

It happens to the best of us. You get a little too excited about adding cayenne powder to your chili to bump up the heat and uh oh—you've gone too far. What was supposed to be a simple kick of zest has now turned into too much of a mouth-burning fire. The entire dish doesn't need to be bound for the trash. Here are a few ways to remedy the situation. More

Whether it's coated in a blend of chile powders or bathed in a combination of buttermilk and hot sauce, fiery fried chicken has become a force to be reckoned with. Slowly but surely, spicy fried chicken is coming into its own all across the country. More

While you can always stir kimchi into rice for an easy side (with no complaints from me!), sometimes I crave kimchi fusion. Kimchi is fermented vegetables, most often cabbage, but there are varieties, one of my favorite being made with radishes. Seasonings can include garlic, ginger, chiles, fish sauce to make for a condiment that's fiery and salty with a pucker-worthy tartness. Because of this acidity, it greatly complements richer dishes. Here are 10 fusion-inspired ideas on what to do with kimchi. More

Introducing iSpice from food writer Monica Bhide which just launched, an app that's like having a spice dictionary at your disposal. More

Taking into account a person's food likes and crafting a homemade gift for them can be a thoughtful, touching gift for the holidays. The joy is not just in giving the gift, but also in making it. For the spice-savvy person in your life, here are 10 homemade spicy gift ideas from harissa to honey-chile butter. Do you have any zesty homemade gifts you make? More

This selection of gifts is geared to make any heat-obsessed fan happy throughout the year. It ranges from teeny Tabasco bottles and Sriracha peas (move over, wasabi peas) for stocking stuffers to hanging pepper plants. Check out this roundup of seven gift ideas, none of them over $35, for spicy food fiends. More

I was a skeptic. Apple salsa? Sure, I enjoy a good fruit salsa but I had never thought of it in terms of apples. But, hey, it's apple season and a good opportunity to use up the fruit. Who knew it could be so good. More