What is my Ay Caramba Chili blend?

This Ay Caramba Chili blend is composed of hot pepper, paprika, cumin, oregano, cloves and garlic. It comes in the form of a fine red-brown powder and is ideal for seasoning tex-mex recipes.

Traditionally, this blend is composed of 4 to 7 spices in different proportions depending on the regions of the world where it is prepared, the tastes of each, the desired flavours.

It includes chilli pepper, oregano, garlic, and other spices to achieve the desired aromatic palette. The main ingredient of this spice blend is hot pepper... lovers of spicy flavours will appreciate it!

David Vanille's choice: I chose to present this blend for its subtle balance between spiciness and aromas. It will seduce food lovers with its spicy taste but subtly balanced by the milder flavours of garlic, oregano and cumin.

Ingredients of my spice blend

My Ay Caramba Chili blend is composed of the following 6 spices:

• Hot pepper: this is the fruit of a plant of the Solanaceae family native to South America, Mexico or Central America. The hot pepper spices up dishes and has a bactericidal effect.
• Paprika: this spice originating from Mexico is made from dried peppers and chilli peppers. It is also called sweet pepper.
• Cumin: this plant is native to the Mediterranean basin. It can be found in many oriental recipes and in various spice blends such as curry.
• Oregano: Oregano is a plant of Western origin that will be imported to the Middle East. It is widely used in Greek, Portuguese and Italian cuisine. It has antiseptic virtues.
• Clove: an Indonesian spice found in meat marinades, gingerbread and sauerkraut. It is also used in herbal teas or as an essential oil to relieve toothache.
• Garlic: Garlic is a plant that is part of the superfoods. Its origins are in Central Asia where it has been used for more than 5,000 years. It is an essential component of marinades.

Differences between Ay Caramba Chili and hot pepper blend

The chilli pepper alone brings a spicy taste that is found in this spice blend. However, the combination of the different spices brings more subtle flavours to your dishes; the sweetness of the garlic counterbalances the spiciness of the chilli pepper.

The origins of the Ay Caramba Chili spice blend

This blend of spices is used mainly in South America, Spain and Portugal. It is found in Tex-Mex, Iberian and Portuguese cuisine.

If its name evokes Chile, its origins would be rather American. It is in the south of the United States, that we find the first traces of it. Then, this mixture was used to bring the necessary flavour to this South American "poor man's dish" and flagship recipe of Tex-Mex cuisine: chili con carne.

Rather spicy and with smoky notes, it accomplished its mission in a prodigious way.

Did you know that? The name of this spice "Ay Caramba Chili" does not refer to the country, Chile, but to the chilli pepper of the same name.

Benefits of the ingredients in this spice blend

The Ay Caramba Chili spice blend has the benefits of all the ingredients that make it up. Among other things, it allows :

• To fight against cell aging thanks to clove
• To have an appetite-suppressant effect thanks to the feeling of satiety brought by the consumption of chilli con carne
• To provide a source of vitamins A, B1, B2 and C thanks to garlic.
• Bringing potassium and antioxidants thanks to the paprika
• Relieve digestion problems with cumin and oregano
• To fight against bloating and bacteria (especially oral) with clove

How to use Ay Caramba Chili blend in cooking?

The ingredients that make up this blend of spices make it an ideal companion in the preparation of typical Tex-Mex meals, but also in dishes of Iberian origin.

On the nose, you will first smell the smoky notes of this blend, then the spicy aromas that are quickly completed by the spiciness delivered by the hot pepper.

Once in the mouth, you will be as if captured by a lasso of different taste sensations that will occur almost simultaneously.

You will go from smoky notes to spicy with the sweet presence of garlic. Your taste buds will be pleasantly stimulated.

Stews, barbecues, fish and shellfish, Mexican-style beef, Tinga Poblana... Ay Caramba Chili spice goes well with many land and sea products.

This mixture will also sublimate all your pasta dishes, polentas, and other starchy foods. Try it in Julie Andrieu's Spaghetti a la Puttanesca.

Good to know: The Ay Caramba Chili Spice Mix has a great resistance to long cooking times, each flavour will remain faithful to what you expect even when preparing simmered dishes. Our recipe ideas with my American spice mix

Our recipe ideas with my Tex Mex spice mix "Ay Caramba Chili"

Do you want to add a little spice to your cooking? The Ay Caramba Chili blend is made for that! Discover some recipes that this tasty spice blend will spice up.

The starter: Spicy crispy vegetables in brick pastry sheet

A light but full-flavoured appetizer! Finely chop peppers, carrots and cabbage. Fry them in hot oil. Add a little Ay Caramba Chili mixture. Double your brick sheets and garnish with the vegetable mixture. Put them in the oven. Serve with a good red wine!

The dish: Tex-Mex roasted prawns

If this spice goes perfectly with meat, it is also tasty with seafood. Grill your prawns. Make a tomato sauce with fresh tomatoes and onions. Spice it with the spice mixture. Enjoy with bread or wild rice.

The dessert : Spicy roasted pineapple

If this spice is not often used in sweet dishes, it can pleasantly spice up a roasted fruit. Pineapple is ideal for this purpose. Cut your pineapple into thick slices. Grill it and sprinkle with Ay Caramba Chili mixture. Delicious!

How to store a tex mex spice blend?

This pungent spice blend can be kept like most spices: in an airtight jar away from the light. It will thus preserve all its flavours.