Tags: I see it this way! fun food latin chile powder ancho pasilla chipotle Spanish latino comida

Today I gave out 5 cans of my homemade "Amigos" chile powder. Above is the lovely Jamila and her hubby, Ben, accepting one.  The powder is a blend of ancho, pasilla, chipotle peppers and other all natural ingredients.  There are no artificial colors, preservatives or anti-caking  additives contained in Amigos. I buy the dried peppers in Hispanic markets and ethnic sections of supermarkets. Then I take the seeds out, dry the peppers even more in the oven, and finally blend into powder using my mother-in-law's  blender.  A few more select spices are added. Since Presentation is everything with fine food consumption, I had to package my new creation.  Jamila is a professional graphics design artist but since this was to be a surprise, I couldn't ask for design help. A trip to the craft store gained me some small cans.  They were designed and printed at home my me.  Besides chile powder, each can has a chile recipe named: Mi La Mayan Chile Recipe 28 oz. Chopped boneless chicken thighs(or ground beef, turkey, chicken) 14 oz. Mild off-the shelf salsa 15 oz. Goya brand Red Kidney Beans 1 medium onion roughly copped 3 tsp. “Amigo” chile powder 1 cup water 2 Tbsp. Oil In a large heavy skillet heat oil and add meat.  Cook for about 3 minutes on high then add onion. Continue cooking on medium heat until chicken is done with no pink juices seen coming from chicken.  Add “Amigo” chile powder and  1 cup of water.  Cook a few minutes then add salsa. Open  can of beans and use a spoon to mash up about ¼ of beans right in the can.  Add beans to skillet, cover,  and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.  The beans will stick to bottom of skillet so don't forget to stir.  If too thick add water.  If too thin, mash up more of the beans.  The beans give body and flavor to the chile.  Add salt at the table if needed. * Editor note: The name of my recipe is a play on my daughters' names, Maya and Jamila('Mila) which created the name Mi La Mayan chile;) Also, right under "Amigos" on the can is a disclaimer "no hecho en Mexico" which flatly states this wasn't made in Mexico. A few retired folks have way too much time on their hands:)