Delicious & Nutritious
By: Pam Smith, RDN
Chili peppers contain a substance called capsaicin, which gives peppers their characteristic pungency, producing mild to eye-watering spice when eaten - yet ironically is a strong anti-inflammatory and pain manager. A vital immune-booster with powerful anti-viral effects, it is linked to decreased risk of stomach cancer, prostate cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Capsaicin also kills bacteria believed to cause stomach ulcers. The hotter the chili pepper, the more capsaicin it contains. And, the peppery heat produces secretions that help clear congestion and headaches. And as far as flavor goes, as our palates become emboldened, we realize there is much more to chili peppers than hotness. Each pepper has a distinctive flavor, from the heat of the cayenne, the smoky sting of a chipotle, to the bitter-chocolate flavor of an ancho chili.
Use It:
Sprinkle on meats and vegetables before roasting, add it to soups, chili, and stews, and let it give extra zip to your vinaigrettes! Chili peppers give the heat to Cha Cha Chili, my custom-curated P.S. Flavor!™ chili powder. Use Cha Cha Chili as a chili powder replacement in your favorite chili recipe!
Cha Cha Chili is a key ingredient in Chili Lime, Mocha Chili, Warm Winter, and Texy Taco – it gives these blends that “chili” flavor we all know and love.
Chili peppers and chilis/soups go hand in hand! Get a great dose of chili pepper in warm comfort soups with one of these nutritious & delicious recipes:
