Making your own chili powder is easy and allows you to get just the right flavor and degree of heat or spice that you want. Use precautions when handling hot peppers. If possible wear gloves when handling hot peppers and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after touching hot peppers. Do not scratch your eyes, nose, face or any other sensitive area of your body. I purchased a bag of dried chilies at my local grocery store, in the produce department. They were very reasonably priced, in fact they were darn right cheap! If you grow hot peppers and want to dry your own, read directions here: HomeGrown or Chili Pepper Madness. The recipe below is a blend of spices to make chili powder seasoning. This recipe can be changed according to your taste, and "heat" preference. You can grind the dried chili peppers and use the powder as is, without adding any other spices but beware, it will be "hot."
*Chili Powder~
6-8 Dried chilies, stemmed, seeded, and membranes removed. Cut chilies into 1/2 inch pieces.
Step 1: Toast dried purchased peppers: Put all of the dried chilies and the cumin seeds into a medium cast iron or non-stick saute' pan over medium-high heat. Cook, moving the pan constantly, until you begin to smell the cumin toasting. Should take about 4-5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Step 2: Once cool, place the chilies, cumin and coriander seeds if using, into a coffee grinder, spice grinder or mini food processor/chopper, that is used only for "hot" spices. I have a coffee grinder that I use and I have it marked on the side with a permanent black marker. Add the garlic powder and oregano. Process until the mixture turns into a powder. Be sure to wait a few minutes to let the dust settle, then pour into an airtight container to store for up to 6 months. Storing in the freezer helps to lengthen the storage time. Repeat process until all chilies are ground~
*Grind in batches, Don't try to grind to many at once.
**You might need to open a window when toasting the chilies and cumin seeds.
***After your done grinding the chilies and you take off the cover of the grinder, be extremely careful, the smell will be strong~
