
To make ancho powder, you’ll need to take the stems out of your bell peppers before popping them into a food dehydrator. Get them to a point where they’re brittle and then put them into a cotton bag before you grind them.
If you don’t have a good dehydrator, you can achieve the same dried peppers by putting them into the oven at around 50ºC.
The great thing about using this method is that the bell pepper powder will be bursting with flavour and so much more fragrant.
However, a teaspoon of paprika spice is also favoured in a lot of Spanish and Mexican dishes and often features in the curries of India.
People love paprika both for its colour and taste. When added to a dish, it can alter the appearance and give it a burst of flavour.


Both crushed red pepper and paprika have distinct culinary roles and can be used to enhance a variety of dishes:
Paprika is Hungary’s national spice; you’ll find it on tables right next to the salt and pepper, and you can’t make time-honored Hungarian food, like goulash, without a heaping helping of paprika. Paprika peppers are grown all over the country though Kalocsa and Szeged, cities located in southern Hungary, are two of the most important regions for paprika production.
Paprika’s colour and flavour reduce the longer it’s cooked. So add it at the end of your cooking to make sure you make the most of its wonderful shade and taste. Compared to other spices, you can use paprika quite liberally without overpowering other ingredients, so don’t be afraid to be generous. Paprika burns quite easily due to its high sugar content, so it’s best cooked with a little oil over a low heat and don’t forget to keep stirring.
