Have you ever noticed a stack of fresh cactus paddles at your local market, but were unsure how to use them — or at least how to keep from getting stuck? The paddles of the prickly pear cactus are ...

The scent of chiles toasting hung low like a sweet, spicy cloud swirling around the kitchen. I worked with one or two dried chiles at a time for the most control, flipping, then flattening them with a ...

That place can be your grandmother's kitchen learning to bake biscuits, or a far-away region known for a key ingredient or cooking style. Given my appreciation for the connective power of food, one of ...

Prickly desert cactus sounds like the last thing you’d want to eat. But -- surprise! -- once the spines are off, cactus is juicy and tender, great in anything from salads and soups to main courses and ...

If you've spent any time in Mexico or the American Southwest, you may have come across nopales at restaurants or in home ...

NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with food writer Maria Melendez Ayala about nopales, edible cactus plants that are a staple in Mexican cuisine. People across the country are out grilling this weekend. And ...

Food writing sometimes is about more than putting a meal on the table. Capturing the stories behind the dish – its connection to a place and people – is also appealing. That place can be your ...

People across the country are out grilling this weekend. And if you are looking to include some veggies in your barbecue platter, consider nopales. The rounded spiny cactus, mother to the prickly pear ...