Handling Chili Powder

Commercial chili powder is a blend of various ground, dried chili peppers with seasonings such as garlic and onion powder. It is fine for most traditional purposes, but for more flavor, use pure chili powder, made only from dried, ground chili peppers.

The Basic

• Storing chili powder - place in a tightly sealed jar in the refrigerator.

• Making own chili powder - if you've run out of commercial chili powder, here's a quick mix to get you by. 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon each of oregano, garlic powder and onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon each of ground red pepper and paprika and 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice. Makes about 2 1/2 tablespoons.

• To make pure chili powder - you can make your own pure chili powder by pulverizing dried chili skins in a clean coffee grinder. Clean any dust or dirt off the chilies. Break or slice them open and remove the stems and seeds, then grind the skins. Avoid breathing the dust that's produced by grinding.