Monday, December 30, 2013

Add A Kick To Your Cooking With Arizona Chili Spices

By Cornelia White


Getting tired of your weeknight meals and looking for some new recipes to change things up? An easy way to do this without having to radically change your recipes is to add a dash of Arizona chili spices. These spices, seasonings and mixes will bring a new taste to any of your tried and true recipes. Add some ancho or chipotle powder to your family-loved beef stew for an easy change. A dash in soup enlivens the flavor. Your family will love the variety. Chili seasonings, mixes and sauces aren't just for Southwest and Tex-Mex food either. They give any recipe or dish a unique kick.

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 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.

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 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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