Boy do I hate the stores here in Florida! I have gone to three different stores to get the chili and none of them have it. Is there anything I can substitue for that? I planned on making a BBQ sauce and need just one!

Annie

I'm sorry Annie, even here in the back and beyond part of Maine that God doesn't remember I can find Ancho, Poblano, Habanero and other dried peppers in the teeny tiny Organic section of our wanna-be grocery. It isn't single pack and I'll pay dearly for 4-6.

I have more selection 2 miles away at our one and only Co-op, where I can get <1> dried Ancho out of a large glass jug.

Given the context of your need ( in BBQ sauce) I'll go out on a limb and suggest a Chipotle based Hot Sauce. When you find the Ancho, make it again and see if you missed anything?

I know it bites when you have to substitute. If you haven't told anyone but us chickens, hold your head up and go forward!

Breeze

Breeze, it is ridiculous! I love just NW of Orlando with several large supermarkets and it is so hard to find some items. None of them had whole dried chiles at all. Never thought of the chipotle but I don't have any of those either. But I do have all kinds of hot sauce!

Annie

Breeze, I ventured out this morning and took a drive up to Walmart Supercenter (my least favorite store!) and they had the Anchos so the BBQ is on as we 'speak'.

Annie

Glad you found it eventually, annie! I have actually never looked for dried chilis around here, but I tell you, every roadside stand, and the supermarket in my dinky town, seems to have about every fresh chili there is! Lots of hispanic folks around here..

Me, too Carol...though I do hate to go to Walmart!

Different strokes, I guess! We just spent a fair chunk of change today, went to Sam's Club, and then Wal-Mart! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> I find that Sam's Club sure seems to have the best prices for cheese around here. People must think I am a cheeseoholic, as the first five things on our shopping list for Sam's were all cheese! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> we go to COSTCO or BJ's for $20 worth of stuff... say we won't buy anything else, and the bill is never below $150-$200... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

BJ's has great deals on Gouda and lots of other's, like Edam, Havarti, Leerdammer, Leyden, Goat Cheese, etc. around us...
excellent selection of cheeses from Europe...

Annie, why not try a Latino Market?
We go to them all the time around here for fresh veggies and spices...
best prices, freshest produce, and all kinds of stuff you won't find elsewhere... and they always seem to have fresh Christophines, all year long!!!

Brian, we don't have any around here. The shopping stinks where I live. But, thankfully, Walmart does have a large selection of dried chiles.

Gee, annie, you do live in Florida, don't you?? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Can't believe there aren't any hispanic markets around you. You could come down here, but I think it might be a tad far to go for a chili! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

You can also get them online...
HERE, 1 lb for $10.50 That's a LOT of dried peppers!
or On eBay for 2 oz. for $3.67... BUT, the shipping @ $7.99 doesn't make it worthwile...

I have friends who used to live in Beverly Hills Florida and he complained loud and long about his inability to find southwest cooking ingredients. Said one restaurants version of a chile relleno was a sliced green bell pepper with cheese deep fried.

Ouch, that sounds disgusting! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" /> BTW, where the heck is Beverly Hills Florida??

Annie, fyi and others.
A dried deep reddish brown chile pepper about 3 inches wide and 4 inches long with a sweet hot flavor. When fresh they are referred to as poblanos. Anchos are flat, wrinkled, and heart shaped. The ancho is the sweetest of the dried chiles; and is most commonly used in authentic Mexican cooking and is a staple in red chili and tamales

Beverly Hills is below the panhandle close to the west coast, inland from Crystal River.

OK, guess I need to study the map of Florida more.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />