Thai basil, kaffir lime leaves, Thai eggplant in bay area

Cacio e pepe is a social media sensation. Everywhere you look, there are live-action pasta lifts of creamy, pepper-flecked, twirl-worthy mounds of this classic pasta dish. But this "new" foodie fodder is actually rooted in ancient Roman cuisine. To learn how to make this marvel from scratch, Guillermo travels to New York’s Seaport district to meet with world renowned chef Jordan Frosolone, and learn how he makes his “Best of NYC” (an honor bestowed by New York Magazine) dish. Chef Jordan is currently the executive chef at 10 Corso Como, an imported Italian restaurant/gallery concept that has become a celebrity darling since its opening last year. From its kitchen he shows Guillermo how to make pasta from scratch the traditional way, and how to successfully make this incredibly simple dish, that just requires precision and attention to detail.

These colorful little sandwich cookies turn us all into kids in a candy store. They’re so perfect that the idea of making them is intimidating — but fear not! To learn how to make them, Guillermo met with master pâtissier Jayce Baudry, the executive pastry chef for Daniel Boulud's Épiceries. The chef taught us tricks and techniques to make the process manageable, even for an amateur baker at home.

Store-bought hummus is convenient but you haven't lived until you've made your own. For this episode of Chow-To, we visit chef Eden Grinshpan at her Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant DEZ in New York City to find out how to make hummus that is way better than the kind you'll find in a store. Guillermo and Eden make a traditional version, and then, to make things more interesting, they take it to the next level with Eden’s signature Beet Meze. This delicious vegan, gluten-free, protein-packed base is easier to make than most people think.

When made well, the piña colada is a fantastic drink. To some, it should never be tampered with. Just like all classics, variations can turn something good into something magnificent. Such is the case with Kathy Casey’s Kaffir Colada. The aromatic kaffir lime leaves mingle with a light and airy foam made with coconut milk. Divine!

Because life is too short not to be a kid sometimes.

A roasted boneless leg of lamb makes an impressive centerpiece for your table, but this recipe is easy enough to pull off any time. A classic gremolata perfumes the lamb; the mixture of garlic, lemon, and parsley holds its own against the strong flavor of the meat. Read more.

A quick look at food, wine and more in the news.

Eliminate any cheese aisle confusion with this handy explainer.

Beef ribs can stand up to strong flavors. Here, a spicy-sweet rub with chili powder, cumin, cayenne, garlic, and brown sugar coats the meat, which is roasted to tenderness. Finishing on the grill with a smoky chipotle barbecue sauce ensures the meat gets a nice char and the sauce lacquers. Read more.