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Friday 13 December 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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'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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