Chili Powder
User Reviews
5
Chili Powder
Description
Chili Powder is made by first preparing dried guajillo or ancho chiles by removing stems and seeds, then toasting them gently with cumin, coriander, and fennel seeds to release aromatic oils. These ingredients are ground together along with dried garlic granules, smoked paprika, oregano, allspice, sea salt, and a touch of sugar. The powder is finely milled to create a balanced spice blend that offers earthiness from the chiles, floral and citrus hints from the coriander and fennel, and smoky depth from the paprika.
This spice blend can be used to season meats, vegetables, stews, and particularly chili recipes, where it adds heat, aroma, and complexity. Making chili powder at home allows control over the heat level and freshness compared to store-bought mixes.
The recipe yields about one third of a cup and allows for batch grinding in a spice grinder, ensuring a fresh and robust flavor every time.
Ingredients
- 6 dried guajillo chiles or 3 dried ancho chiles
- 3 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 1½ teaspoons coriander seeds
- ¾ teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1½ teaspoons dried garlic granules
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon oregano
- allspice heaping 1/4 teaspoon
- sea salt heaping 1/4 teaspoon
- ⅛ teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Use scissors to cut the stems off the guajillo or ancho chiles, then cut each chile in half and remove the seeds. Toast the chiles in a dry skillet over low heat with the cumin, coriander, and fennel seeds until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Tear the chiles into small pieces and transfer them to a spice grinder. Add the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, garlic, paprika, oregano, allspice, salt, and sugar. Grind into a powder, working in batches if necessary.
Notes
- This recipe makes approximately one third cup of chili powder.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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