blogger visitor

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

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.

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 chili growers in the region are small farms and many are family-owned businesses. The Sulpher Springs and Santa Cruz valley are some of the most well-known chili-growing regions in the state. The heaviest pepper was grown at a family-owned farm in the Sulpher Springs area. Many are multi-generational farms, not huge industrial, automated mega-farms.

Of course these seasonings and mixes can make just about any style dish better. Try some ancho powder in your traditional beef stew recipe to give a smoky flavor and a little extra bite. Chilies are natural companion to dips and sauces. There are dozens and dozens of dip mixes to choose from. Most just need sour cream or cream cheese to make a delicious starter.

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.

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.

So if you want to spice up your traditional recipes or try some completely new dishes, get some Arizona chili spices. The individual powders are great for those who like to cook from scratch, but there are also mixes and marinades that speed up preparation.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment