All posts by Linda

Chile Air Conditioning

In addition to their use in Mexican food, chiles are also used extensively in other cultures’ cuisines such as Thai, Hunan, Szechuan, East Indian and African. Most hot food originates in countries with hot climates (we always say that we need the hot foods in our colder climates to stay warm, from the inside out!). One of the likely reasons for this is that spice was probably used to mask spoiled food when refrigeration wasn’t yet available. Another reason is that eating hot food creates perspiration, which creates an “air-conditioning” system when air evaporates the moisture on skin and garments.

Hot and Healthy!

Linda in Chiles, Newsletter

Millions of people from many cultures from around the world enjoy the flavor and fire of hot foods. After all, chiles are the second most common spices in the world, following salt. Few people, however, realize the many health benefits that chile peppers offer.

A substance called capsaicin causes the heat of chiles and peppers and has been used medicinally for centuries. Capsaicin has been associated with many cures that include lowering blood pressure, reducing cholesterol and warding off strokes and heart attacks, speeding up metabolism, treating colds and fevers, preventing cancer and pain control. …

Welcome To Cooking With Fire

Linda in Site News

The brand “cooking with fire” reflects our commitment to doing things that ignite burning desire and to live life with passion and purpose. Linda Matthie, author and publisher, wrote the series of cookbooks featured on this site to share her burning desire for healthy, fiery foods of the world and is dedicated to sharing her passion for fiery fare and creating fabulous, fun and flavorful food characterized by healthy and light recipes.

In addition to our national best selling cookbooks, The Fire ‘n’ Ice Cookbook, Light the Fire and The Hot Sauce Bottle Cookbook, we are proud to present music that will add atmosphere while you’re enjoying our healthy and fiery foods of the world. We invite you to explore, indulge and enjoy!

Cheers!