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Substitute For Chili Powder

Substitute For Chili Powder

Choose the Organic Version

Is natural food always made from natural ingredients? The answer is, not necessarily. "Natural" could mean just about anything. Going with an organic diet is the best way to assure yourself that you are getting the most out of every bite. Plenty of people are starting to hop on the organic bandwagon and many of us need to cut corners here and there to save a little money so we rationalize, assuming that a "natural" version of the food we like will be the next best thing.

Those of you who have decided to dedicate yourselves to a vegan diet or folks who simply want to cut down on their meat intake may seek meals containing meat substitutes because advertisements state that it's good for you. Why shouldn't you eat it? Everyone says it's healthy and "natural" and it contains soy that is taken from a bean that is high in protein.

I listed a few of these foods (that are not organic) that many people think are healthy alternatives. The reality is that these products appear to be healthy but if you decode the ingredients you might be surprised. The following consists of two products that are widely used but aren't as healthy as they seem. You can also take me up on the recipe I created as well as the one I found online that might prove to be healthier alternatives.

Veggie Burgers:

What looks to be a healthy alternative to meat could actually contain gasoline. The soybeans used in most veggie burgers may have been soaking in hexane before the burgers were made. The hexane separates the oil from the protein of the soybean. You will have an idea of whether or not your veggie burger is actually a gassy patty if it contains one or more of the following: soy protein concentrate, soy protein isolate and/or texturized vegetable protein.

Alternative: Your very own… Chickpea Burgers!

If it's convenience that you're looking for, make a decent amount of these burgers and toss them in the freezer for easy access! Here is a recipe I discovered online that I tweaked slightly so it would be organic. The idea belongs to Anne Lindsay, the author of New Light Cooking. This is an easy way to make a delicious, hexane-free dinner that contains plenty of protein:

Chickpea Burgers Serves 4

2 tsp organic canola oil 2 organic green onions- chopped 2 cloves of organic garlic- minced 1 tsp each organic dried oregano and organic chili powder 1 cup diced organic sweet red or green pepper Half organic tomato- chopped 1 can (19 oz) organic chick-peas drained and rinsed 1/3 cup organic dry bread crumbs 2 tbsp organic cilantro or organic parsley- chopped

1.In nonstick skillet, heat 1 tsp of oil over medium heat and cook onions, garlic, oregano and chili powder, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add red pepper and tomato. Cook, stirring for about 3 minutes or until pepper is tender and liquid is evaporated. 2. In food processor, mix pepper mixture with chickpeas; transfer to bowl. Stir in breadcrumbs, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste until well combined. Pressing firmly, shape into 4 burgers. 3. In nonstick skillet, heat remaining oil over medium heat and cook burgers for 4 minutes on each side or until heated through.

Here is another popular product that advertises how much children love to eat it.

Vegan Chicken Nuggets:

Are you converting to veganism? I wouldn't start with these fake chicken nuggets if I were you. Many people choose to become vegan because they do not believe in consuming animal products. Eating foods that are full of vitamins and minerals should be of concern to people on a vegan diet or any other diet for that matter so you want to be sure that you're getting the nutrients you're paying for. Let's take a look at the ingredients in your typical box of frozen vegan chicken nuggets. Mind you, these are advertised as being "all natural". You will see why they didn't earn the organic stamp of approval.

Here is the list of ingredients:

Sea salt (Decent choice)

Garlic powder and Toasted onion powder (Any non-organic spices can contain anti-caking agents made from chemicals)

Rice starch (Natural stabilizer- replacing chemicals)

Dehydrated celery (Not too shabby)

You're probably wondering why I'm criticizing this product since the ingredients don't seem that bad. Well, the list goes on.

Flavorings: This is not the best explanation. What are the flavorings and where are they taken from? Artificial flavors are made from chemicals and are used to mimic the flavor of real food. There are actually flavoring experts who mix combinations of chemicals until they discover a pleasing flavor, or possibly in this case something as simple as "chicken flavor".

Carrageenan: This thickening agent is taken from red seaweed so it may sound healthy. The truth is the carrageenan is sucked out with alkali solvents that act like acid. A study on human tissue showed that carrageenan contributes to cancer and digestive problems.

Maltodextrin: A carbohydrate that is sweet like sugar and is considered safe in small amounts according to the FDA. Maltodextrin can contribute to weight gain.

Soy protein isolate: Yikes. Remember I mentioned that this ingredient is derived from soybeans that were soaking in hexane.

And here comes the winner…

Hydrated textured soy protein concentrate: Huh? This is the stuff that gives you that "chicken" feel. It has a similar density to beef and is used as a meat substitute. The soy protein is turned into meat-like fiber after it takes a bath in phosphoric acid and salt.

Soybeans do not go from farm to grocery store without undergoing a huge process first. They are soaked in alkaline and phosphoric acid, then back to the alkaline bath. What is left of the soy morphs into something else once it has been dried under high temperatures. By the time this process is over, the soybean is hardly a soybean at all and it contains the added bonus of pesticides.

Alternative:

Organic Rice and Beans

This dish delivers a substantial amount of protein; it's delicious, nutritious and safe. You can make organic rice and beans and be assured that what you're eating is actually pure food. Here's a fun recipe that I conjured up at home:

Rice Ingredients:

2 cups Organic Brown Rice 4 cups Bottled Water

Nothing else!

Directions: Boil water. Add Rice and bring to a boil again. Turn down to simmer and stir. Cover tightly and do not remove lid for 45-50 minutes when rice is tender and the water has been absorbed.

Ingredients for the Beans:

1 Can Organic Kidney Beans 1/4 Organic Potato- Cut into bite-sized pieces 1 Tbsp. Organic Coconut Oil 4 oz. Tomato sauce 2 Tbsp. Diced Cilantro 1/4 Organic Onion- Chopped 1/4 Organic Red Pepper- Chopped 1/8 Organic Green Pepper- Chopped 1 Clove Garlic Decent Pinch of Sea Salt Dash of Pepper Garlic Powder- To taste Dash of Chili Powder

Directions: Heat uncovered on Medium-Low to a slow boil. Turn down heat to simmer and cover half way. Stir occasionally for about 15 minutes. Shut off and cover tight. Let sit, stir after five minutes. Let sit for five more minutes then serve with organic brown rice.

Check out CNN and BBC America with Dish Network satellite TV for the latest updates on health and wellness.

By: Frank Bilotta

Megami Tsubasa's breakfast

McCormick Chili Powder, Light, 18-Ounce Units (Pack of 3) List Price: $33.43 Sale Price: $30.86 You save: $2.57 (8%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description McCormick Chili Powder, Light has the Flavor of Chili Powder is earthy and slightly sweet. Chili Powder flavor is intended to dominate food rather than enhance and imparts a mild heat flavor with the earthiness of cumin. Light Chili Powder is slightly milder than the Dark Chili Powder blend Features Pack of three, 18-ounce units (total of 54-ounces) Earthy and slightly sweet Slightly milder than the Dark Chili Powder blend

The No-Salt, Lowest-Sodium Cookbook List Price: $16.99 Sale Price: $11.13 You save: $5.86 (34%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Donald Gazzaniga, diagnosed with congestive heart failure, was on a waiting list for a heart transplantthe only effective medical treatment. Urged by his doctor to keep his sodium intake down under 1,500-2,000 mg. a day, Don headed for the kitchen and went to work. Aware that cutting table salt from your diet is the barest beginning of a true low-sodium menu, Don devised recipes that were 70% lower in sodium than those in other low-sodium cookbooks. The result? Dons name was removed from the transplant list; his doctors believe that his diet played a significant role. The No-Salt, Lowest-Sodium Cookbook contains: Hundreds of good-tasting, easy-to-make recipesA 28-day low-sodium menu planner Advice on finding low-sodium prepared foods, eating in restaurants, etc. Accurate sodium content of every ingredient and of the total servings Substitutes for high-sodium flavorings, and information on other taste-improving substances. Features ISBN13: 9780312291648 Condition: New Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

McCormick Ancho Chile Pepper, Ground, 16-Ounce Plastic Bottle List Price: $22.85 Sale Price: $21.09 You save: $1.76 (8%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Use McCormick Ancho Chile Pepper to enhance recipes by adding a sweet, fruity and earthy flavor with mild heat. Ancho is the most used of the dried chiles and is called Poblano when fresh. Ancho Chile Peppers are reddish-brown in color and are grown in the Central Region of Mexico's. The word 'Ancho' translates to English as wide and in its whole form the Ancho Chile Pepper is shaped like a heart. It is one of the largest Chiles. Sprinkle Ancho Chile Pepper on pasta dishes, pizza sauces and tomato based sauces. Shake McCormick Ancho Chile Pepper on tacos, burritos and fajitas for extra flavor. Add Ancho Chile Pepper to salsas, rice, mashed potatoes and homemade bread croutons. Features Sweet, fruity, earthy flavor Reddish brown and grown in Mexico Sprinkle on top of dishes and sauces Dried large chilies, flavor

Corona Real Ground Pasilla Chili Powder, 2 oz. Sale Price: $1.95   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Corona Real Ground pasilla chile powder. Other names for this chili are chilaca and ancho. Mild in flavor and good for coloring. PASILLA CHILES The Pasilla is similar to a dried Ancho Chile. Pasilla, Spanish for "little raisin", have a thin flesh with some grape/berry flavors and herbaceous tones. Used in mole sauces as well as seafood sauces and casseroles. Its a mild heat flavor!! In the US its also called Ancho Chile. Features Pack of 2 ounces Mild in flavor and good for coloring Made from pasilla chilies that have a thin flesh with some grape/berry flavors and herbaceous tones

McCormick Chipotle Chili Pepper, Ground, 16-Ounce Plastic Bottle (Pack of 2) List Price: $55.77 Sale Price: $51.48 You save: $4.29 (8%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Mccormick chipotle chili pepper, ground, 16-ounce plastic bottle (pack of 2) is grown in Northern and Southern Mexico. Chipotle Chiles are not a type of Chile pepper. Instead, they are the dried and smoked green Jalapeno Chile Pepper. Ground Chipotle Chilie Peppers are made from the dried and ground pods of Capsicum, a pepper indigenous to Mexico. Chipotle (chee-po-tleh) chiles are made distinct because they are smoke dried jalapeño peppers. Chipotle Chile Peppers appear as a very wrinkled dark tobacco brown chile with a strong smoky aroma. Features Pack of two, 16-ounce bottles(total of 32-ounces) Dried and smoked green Jalapeno Chile Pepper

Ancho Chili Powder 4.0oz Sale Price: $7.95   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Ancho Chile Powder is made from grinding whole Anchos, seeds and pod both. Ancho powder is 100% pure to provide an authentic flavor. Grown in Mexico, Anchos are common to Mexican and Southwestern cooking. Anchos have a mild, sweet, fruity flavor. Dried Ancho has a dark, brick red to mahogany color and ranges from 3 to 5 on a heat scale of 1 to 10. Ancho is the most commonly used dried chile in Mexico. An Ancho is a dried Poblano Pepper and often is mislabeled as a Pasilla or Mulato pepper. Anchos can be used as a substitute for Guajillo or Pasilla Negro and visa versa. These chiles have the same heat range and flavor profile. Ancho, Pasilla and Guajillo form the Holy Trinity of chiles used to prepare traditional mole sauces. Approx. Scoville units are 1,000 to 2,000.Suggested Use: Great in sauces, salsa and soups, add directly to the cooking liquid along with other spices. Use in stir fry, or sprinkled over poultry or fish before baking or grilling. Features All fresh, natural ingredients.

Dark Ancho Chile Powder - Mexico By ChefShop Sale Price: $9.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description 4 Oz. Bag. The most commonly used chile in Mexico, the ancho is in fact a dried poblano chile. With a mild to medium heat, they are dark mahogany, with an orange-red cordovan tint when held up to the light. The ancho is the sweetest of the dried chiles. This dark ancho powder has a mild fruit flavor with tones of coffee, liquorice, tobacco, dried plum, and raisin, with a little woodiness. Features 4.0 Oz. Bag Sold exclusively by ChefShop.com! Most commonly used chile in Mexico! Mild to medium heat, dark mahogany in color. Sweetest of the dried chiles. Great addition for your pantry! Buy more the cheaper it is to ship per item thru ChefShop.

French's Chili-O Seasoning Mix, Chili-O with Onion, 2.25-Ounce Packets (Pack of 18) Sale Price: $29.63   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Chopped onions make this Chili-O extra special. Our perfectly blended seasoning delivers a rich, zesty, taste in only 20 minutes. Features Pack of 18, 2.25-ounce packets Seasoning mix Chopped onions make this Chili-O extra special

Tones-Southwest Chipotle Seasoning - 21 oz List Price: $19.95 Sale Price: $17.10 You save: $2.85 (14%)   Eligible for free shipping! See Reviews For This Product Description Flavorful smoky Chipotle Peppers with onion, garlic and spices to provide authentic southwest flavor. Sprinkle on pork, beef, or chicken, or add to chili or baked beans. Features Flavorful smoky Chipotle Peppers with onion, garlic and spices to provide authentic southwest flavor Classic blend of flavors Certified kosher product

MDH Deggi Mirch (Chilli Powder for Curries), 17.5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6) List Price: $32.94 Sale Price: $26.15 You save: $6.79 (21%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description MDH Deggi Mirch is one of the most basic spices in cooking. The chili powder adds a sharp taste to all savory dishes.