Chili Powder

Do yourself and everyone you cook for a favor and toss out any taco seasoning or jarred chili powder tucked away in your spice rack. Not only will this mixture blow anything you can buy out of the water, but it’s also easy to make.

2 tablespoons ground ancho, New Mexico, or other mild dried chile

1/2 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste

1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns

2 teaspoons cumin seeds

2 teaspoons coriander seeds

1 tablespoon dried Mexican oregano

• Put all the ingredients in a small skillet over medium heat. Toast, shaking the pan occasionally, until the mixture is fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Grind in a spice or coffee grinder until powdery.
• Store in a tightly covered container for up to several weeks.

MAKES: About 1/4 cup

TIME: 5 minutes