Sometimes the simplest dishes are the most satisfying. This is certainly true in the case of sinangag, a garlicky Filipino-style fried rice. Making this comfort food requires just a handful of ingredients – leftover rice, oil, garlic – and if you add an egg, it can even be a meal in itself. More

Q: Hola! With one week left in Mexico City, I'm thinking about what food and cookware items I should bring back. I want to bring items that are safe and legal to transport, much less expensive here or not available in the US, and that I will actually use. Do you have any suggestions? More

Spaghetti alla Carbonara: when it's good, it can make your eyes roll back in your head with pleasure. It lurks there, beckoning, batting its eyelashes on Italian menus. When you don't order it, you usually end up wishing you had.

Do you ever make it at home? Seems easy enough, right? It's basically just bacon, eggs, and pasta. But like most things with few ingredients, there is a technique that binds all the magic together and if you don't have really great ingredients and a grasp of a few key pieces of technique, you'll be let down — possibly with scrambled eggs on your pasta.

To help you avoid this bummer and give you the opportunity to experience a classic in its greatest form, I spoke to several ace chefs and got the scoop on how to make really authentic spaghetti alla carbonara. More

When you're craving Indian food, it can be tempting to rely on your neighborhood Indian restaurant. But you shouldn't be intimidated by Indian recipes - it's very possible to replicate your favorite dishes at home! Here are 20 Indian recipes we love, from a simple Dal Palak to Spiced Lamb Meatballs. More

When reader babygrace requested a post about silken tofu, I knew we would have to consult Andrea Nguyen, author of the outstanding new cookbook Asian Tofu: Discover the Best, Make Your Own, and Cook It at Home. Andrea happily obliged, explaining what makes silken tofu different from regular tofu and sharing plenty of tips for buying, storing, and cooking this versatile ingredient. More

There are few better comfort foods than Vietnamese phở. When I'm on the verge of a cold or in need of a culinary pick-me-up, I sit down to a restorative bowl of aromatic broth, slippery rice noodles, and fresh, customizable garnishes. More

Last week, I discussed the merits of this wonderfully buttery and sustainable fish. Today I'll review one of my favorite ways of cooking it. This recipe is so delicious and easy! More

Growing up, I would always laugh at my dad after he drank a beer or a glass of wine. He is Thai-Chinese and even one drink makes his face turn bright red. "You're red!" I'd say, pointing and laughing. It never stopped being funny.

Until the first time I drank alcohol. My face turned beet-red and felt feverishly hot. It wasn't funny at all. More

My favorite appetizers are simple affairs: easy to make, easy to eat. These elegant little cucumber cups fit the bill quite nicely, with the added bonus of making it appear as though they were much more difficult to make than they were. Paired with a gin & tonic, these are a total dinner party win. More

Q: Tortilla chips are one of my guilty pleasures. Any suggestions for all those broken chips at the bottom of the bag? I use them to add crunch on salads and soups, but I am looking for more creative uses. I buy the organic, blue corn, unsalted varieties. Thanks!

Sent by Melinda More