Tuesday, December 17, 2013

What To Know About Arizona Chili Spices

By Cornelia White


When you're in a cooking rut and need some new meal ideas, take a simple route and try adding some Arizona chili spices to any of your regular recipes. You'll be amazed what a sprinkle of chipotle or poblano powder or a little green pepper paste can do to spice things up. These blends and mixes aren't just for Tex-Mex or Southwest cooking either. They will transform any traditional stew and soup recipes and add a kick to vegetables and salads.

There are hundreds of varieties of Arizona chili spices. You can add intense heat with habenaras and jalapenos sauce. Or add a rich, smoky taste with poblano, ancho or chipotle powder. The mixes make a great dry meat rub or add some liquid to make a flavorful marinade and meat tenderizer. These seasonings also make a great alternative to salt. They add plenty of flavor without the sodium.

Farming chilies and other spices has a long tradition in the Southwest. The year-round sun, desert heat and alluvial soil provide a perfect setting for growth. Every crop has an ideal climate where it thrives, and Arizona is perfect for farming chilies. It gives every pepper an intensity that can't be beat.

Most of the chilies grown in the region come from family owned operations and the manufactures are small businesses. The Santa Cruz and Sulpher Springs valley are two areas in particular that are known for chili growing. These are not industrial-sized conglomerates. Just locals sharing their love of chilies with the world.

While most people associates chilies with Mexican, Tex-Mex or Southwestern cooking, they actually go with just about style food. Adding an ancho or chipotle mix to a simple can of chicken noodle soup transform the boring to the outstanding. Adding a pinch of cayenne to your family beef stew recipe or mac and cheese provides a wonderful kick. Try some of the dip mixes to spice up any get together or party. Just about anything can benefit from a little chili spice.

The choices are limited in most grocery aisles and looking for a specialty market takes time. The simplest way to find good Arizona chili spices is to go online. There are plenty of manufactures and many farmers sell direct to consumers. The fun part is figuring out what to buy. Each manufacturer have there own unique blends and mixes so try a variety.

These mixes make great gifts too. Most retailers have gift baskets that are pre-made for your convenience. You can also put together your own selection. For a gift that keeps on giving, sign up for the spice-a-month club. You'll get a new seasoning mix every month. It will keep your cooking fresh and unique. They'll all ship products internationally too.

If you're looking to add some spice to your cooking (literally), try some Arizona chili spices. For scratch cooks, there are plenty of recipes that call for individual powders and spices. For those looking for a quicker way to add chili flavor, use the seasoning blends and mixes. The marinades add intensity to beef, chicken, or any meat. Add some spice and kick to your cooking by adding chilies to any recipe.




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