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Stupid Question of the Day

Zmokin

Zmokin

What's up/wrong with chili powder?

Most "chili-powders" are a mix of peppers, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, etc.

Why then do most recipes that call for chili-powder also list red pepper, cumin, onion & garlic?

Is this something from the Dept of Redundancy Dept?

Why bother with chili-powder and just call out the amount of the other ingredients you want? or why not just use chili-powder and increase the amount of chili-powder?

I know I never stock garlic salt. I prefer to use garlic powder and salt seperately so I can control/limit the sodium content of dishes I want garlic flavor in.
 
I do keep a shaker of McCormick's chile powder on hand - most of what I grow is too hot for much of my family, plus it's a good go-to for weeknight meals when you don't want to think about which particular flavors to add. McCormick's bottle lists the ubiquitous "spices", salt, and garlic, in addition to chile powder. It doesn't list cumin or onion individually. Who knows what goes into "spices"? Not me, though I know when that's on any number of labels it includes black pepper, which I can't stand.

As one who tends to mix their own spices during the cooking process, it is likely because whoever wrote the recipe likes more of 'x' ingredient than comes in chile powder, and/or they don't know that any particular spice falls into the "spices" listed on the label. Just like you use garlic powder and salt, they probably like whatever is in chile powder, but also like more of some of it for a particular recipe.
 
If chili powder has cumin it's usually for seasoning a pot of chili but is also general purpose.

Zmokin said:
Why bother with chili-powder and just call out the amount of the other ingredients you want? or why not just use chili-powder and increase the amount of chili-powder?
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I don't see the problem here. If you don't like it don't but it. You can buy a frozen pizza, or dough, sauce and cheese. So what's the big deal? The cayenne is on the same shelf next to the chili powder.

There's lemon pepper too. I hope that doesn't send you into a rage. Oh no. Lemons and peppers... together :lol:
 
I dunno - sounds to me more like he's questioning the recipes than the powder. But I guess you make a better correlation - ever buy a frozen pizza and add more toppings? Same basic concept.
 
geeme said:
I dunno - sounds to me more like he's questioning the recipes than the powder. But I guess you make a better correlation - ever buy a frozen pizza and add more toppings? Same basic concept.
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Yes, I'm questioning why list it as an ingredient when adding a little of everything that is already in it.
No, I'm not egads over the existence of lemon pepper, some people like it, I think it's OK, my wife hates it so I don't bother buying it.

for me, a recipe that lists chil-powder, red pepper, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder is like a recipe that would list

garlic salt, garlic powder, salt.

both the chili-powder and the garlic salt are redundant in both examples IMO.
 
Okay now I see what you mean. However, chili powder is usually just chili peppers, or that's what it means for the recipe. It could mean cayenne or whatever you have. Chili = pepper = chile, same thing.

If a recipe says garlic salt, garlic powder, salt... I'd skip it. You know anyone can post a recipe on the net. Don't think just because it was published, it is good. Do your own experimenting.
 
you need to just make your own chili powder,and forget about everything! damn it just make the heat and lay down in it!!
 
"Chile Powder" can be anything. The stuff that comes in the McCormics type jars is usually a blend like you described,
However, at our stores, we can by bags of Chile Pasilla Ancho powder, Chile New Mexico powder, etc.
Just the individual powders, no blends or fillers.
 
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