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12 December 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.

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.

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.

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.

The great thing about the internet is that you can find Arizona chili spices no matter where you live. Head to your preferred search engine and you'll get a list of online retailers, manufactures and even farmers who sell directly to consumers. The fun part is checking out all the unique blends that each manufacturer develops. Many have variety packs so you can try out different mixes and blends.

A basket full of powders, mixes, sauces, marinades and rubs makes a wonderful gift. Whether you're looking for something for a dedicated chef or a microwave cook, chilies will be a welcome to any kitchen. You'll find prepackaged gift baskets or you can put together your own custom selection. Shipping is often free and most will ship 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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