Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Add A Kick To Your Cooking With 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.

In addition to traditional Arizona chili spices like ancho, cayenne, chipotle and poblano powders, check out some of the wonderfully exotic blends. You can find chilies mixed in with different types of meat rubs and seasoning powders. These seasoning mixes add flavor to stews, soups, vegetables and of course, chili. These are a great substitute for salt, adding taste to a dish without having to add harmful sodium to your dishes.

Arizona has a long history of farming chilies and other spice blends. The intense heat and abundant sunshine provide a long growing season. The heat also gives the spices an intensity that can't be found from those grown in other regions. Just like the best wine grapes come from certain regions, the best chilies are grown in the heat of the Southwest.

The other thing about buying Arizona chili spices is that most of the growers and manufacturers are small, family-owned farms and business. There is a long history of farming in areas like the Santa Cruz and Sulphur Springs Valley. In fact the largest pepper ever grown comes from the farm fields of Arizona. These are not mass-produced and manufactured blends that come from giant industrial farms. These are long time farmers who have been tilling the land for generations.

Chilies go naturally with Southwest and Mexican meals, but they go with any type of cooking. Poblano and ancho powders and mixes add a smoky flavor to stews and soups. Of course for adding heat, nothing beats a dash of fresh cayenne powder or a habanera hot-sauce. The seasoning mixes make great dips for parties and get-togethers. Each manufacturer has a unique blend, so have fun and experiment. All you need is some cream cheese or sour cream.

Finding Arizona chili spices is simple thanks to the web. There are many online retailers, manufacturers and you can even buy directly some farmers. There are many unique blends and mixes so you might try a variety or sampler pack to get you started. Each manufacturer has a different style so check around to see what appeals to you.

What do you get for the cook who has everything? Turn them on to the joy of cooking with chilies. A basket of spice mixes and powders makes a wonderful gift. There are also plenty of unique sauces and marinades to be found. Most online retailers have pre-packaged baskets or will put together a custom mix for you. Of course they'll ship wherever you want and provide a gift card.

If you are tired of the same old meals, a simple way to change things up is to add some Arizona chili spices. Scratch cooks will love experimenting with the unique flavors and spices while those on the run will love the pre-made marinades and mixes. Order a variety and have some fun. Chilies add a whole new dimension to any style of cooking.




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