Tuesday, December 31, 2013

What To Know About Arizona Chili Spices

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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.

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 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 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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