Ancho Chili Ketchup or Mayonnaise

This is great on meatloaf, but it has so many other uses. Make extra powdered ancho and you will find that you add it to a lot of other dishes.

• 8 dried ancho chili pods
• 1/2 cup of good tasting ketchup or mayonnaise

Heat the oven to 200. Clean a little spice jar and dry it really well.

You will find that dried ancho chili pods are not really completely dry. Cut them open, or tear them open with your hands. The objective is to have pieces of chili that are only one layer thick. Lay them on a cookie sheet and place in the oven. Let them dry for about 30 minutes. Take one piece out and let it cool for a minute or so. If it cracks easily when folded, then they are done.

Remove the pepper pods from the oven and allow them to cool thoroughly. 

Remove the pepper stems by breaking them off the pepper skins. Decide if you want this to be just flavorful or flavorful and really spicy. If you don't want it that spicy, then remove the seeds.

Place the peppers into a food processor. Run the processor until the peppers become a fine powder. Scoop the powder into a little spice jar.

In a small bowl combine 1/2 ketchup or mayonnaise with a heaping tablespoon of the ancho powder. Put the mixture into the refrigerator and let it rest at least two hours. Overnight is even better.

More super recipes!