Sometimes when I make a grilled cheese sandwich, I deliberately load the bread with far more cheese than it can handle, knowing full well that as the sandwich cooks, the cheddar or Emmentaler will ...

This bowl of rice noodles tossed with shrimp balls, cabbage, and snow peas in a rich sauce is savory and comforting. The crushed chicharrones on top lend each bite some crunch, while the cilantro ...

WE LOVE FRIED PORK RINDS for their crunch, but it’s worth getting to know their softer side, too. In his second Slow Food Fast recipe, Houston chef Hugo Ortega calls for simmering the savory snack, ...

If there aren’t any deviled eggs at a cocktail party, did the party really happen? I have a friend who is adamant that a celebration is not a celebration without a platter of deviled eggs. And she isn ...

Instructions: In blender combine fresh tomato, bell pepper, onion and cilantro until completely blended. Place in a large stock pot and bring to a boil. Continue cooking for 5 minutes. Blend in the ...

The early bird gets the beef cheek on Sunday mornings in Houston's northside. Or so I found out on a recent weekend when my friend and colleague Loida Ruiz took me on a long-promised chicharrones ...

Pork rinds are proof that cooking odd animal parts can be entertaining. You know pork rinds -- those salty, high-protein snacks that are made from, well, from pig skin. Sometimes they're called ...

Victor Escobedo studies the wispy, blond puff of chicharron between his fingers. “It’s very delicate, translucent. It looks very nice,” he says. “In theory this is excellent.” The chicharron combines ...

The phone’s persistent ringing is what finally got me out of bed. It was early on a Friday morning. I was taking advantage of my shift starting a little later on Fridays and was sleeping in. “Ani?” It ...

Did you all watch the Super Bowl this past Sunday? Well, you probably did, and here’s hoping that your team won (since I’m writing this prior to the big game, it’s all a mystery to me). Sunday wasn’t ...

Taking pleasure in the simpler things that bring a bit of comfort and happiness is a way of life in Costa Rica. One thing I have found is that just the sheer mention of chicharrones brings a great ...