Personalized Chili Powder

Name: Personalized Chili Powder
Ingredients: 1 1/2 ounces (about 6) dried red chiles of moderate heat, preferably ancho and New Mexican (we mix them 4 to 2 respectively); 2 to 5 (more or less, to taste) dried red chiles of greater heat (we choose either chile de arbol or cayenne); 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons cumin seeds, toasted and ground; 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons garlic powder, preferably one that hasnt sat on the grocers shelf for 3 years; 1 tablespoon ground oregano, preferably Mexican

5 ingredients

10 steps

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces (about 6) dried red chiles of moderate heat, preferably ancho and New Mexican (we mix them 4 to 2 respectively)
2 to 5 (more or less, to taste) dried red chiles of greater heat (we choose either chile de arbol or cayenne)
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons cumin seeds, toasted and ground
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons garlic powder, preferably one that hasnt sat on the grocers shelf for 3 years
1 tablespoon ground oregano, preferably Mexican

Directions

1

Preheat the oven to 300F.
2

Break the stems from all the chiles and remove the seeds.
3

Transfer the chiles to a baking sheet and arrange them in a single layer.
4

Place the pan in the oven.
5

The chile de arbol or cayenne pods will be toasted first so remove them after 4 or 5 minutes.
6

Bake the larger pods an additional 4 or 5 minutes until they are well dried.
7

When the chiles are cool enough to handle break them into two or three pieces each and transfer them to a blender.
8

Pulverize the pods briefly until you have powder.
9

Add the remaining ingredients and blend just until they are combined.
10

Store the chili powder in a jar or other covered container for up to 3 months.