Hill Country Chili Bacon Breadsticks...mmm!

STM Hill Country Chili Powder

The world of chili powders is vast, but search no longer, my fellow culinary traders, I have found you the most incredible chili powder blend you'll ever experience! It's our Spice Traders Mercantile hand-blended Hill Country Chili Powder, inspired by the beautiful rolling hills surrounding Austin, Texas. True to its Tex-Mex roots, this chili powder blend has a flavor that is deep, complicated and loaded with spicy rich warmth without being overly hot. This particular blend is a true mix of ingredients from New Mexico, Texas and of course, genuine Mexican flair!

And we would be remiss if we didn't share with you the health benefits of adding chili powder to your diet! It turns out, chili powder has 45% of your recommended daily intake of Vitamin A in just 1 tablespoon! Find the right recipe, and that would be an exciting way to take your vitamins! It also contains a high amount of Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant! Also found in chili powder are minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron and many others.

I am sharing with you some of our favorite ways to use this blend, but of course, the application for this wonderful chili powder blend is absolutely endless! Sub it in for your boring, too old chili powder in your favorite recipe, and experience the WOW of fresh, hand-blended spices!

STM Hill Country Chili Bacon Breadsticks

Okay, this is a huge step for me! This is one of my father's most coveted recipes, one that is highly requested at each get-together he is invited to. I'm sharing it with you today because, well, I like you! It is one of my favorite uses for our Hill Country Chili Powder. And I can't contain my love for this amazing combination of flavors, and their versatility, any longer! I'm ending my silence, today! (No one tell my dad I'm spilling the beans!)

This recipe uses Grissini breadsticks, the thin crispy kind. 

This recipe is made with breadsticks, but please note, it can be easily translated to green beans as well! Pick your poison, because with this flavor combo, you can't lose! Yes, it has bacon, chili and brown sugar...a winning combo every day of the year!

Chili Bacon Breadsticks

30 slices bacon, about 1 lb

30 long thin Italian breadsticks (make sure they are Grissini style, hard)

1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

3 Tbs STM Hill County chili powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Let bacon stand at room temperature to soften slightly, about 10 minutes. Wrap one bacon slice gently in a spiral around each breadstick and arrange on a tray.

Ready for the oven!

In a shallow dish long enough to fit breadsticks, stir together sugar and chili powder until combined well, pressing out any lumps with the back of a fork. Roll each breadstick gently in mixture, coating bacon well, and arrange about 1/2 inch apart on a rack, sitting atop a foil wrapped baking sheet. Bake breadsticks 20 minutes, or until coating is carmelized and bacon is deep golden. Loosen breadsticks gently from rack with a metal spatula and cool until firm enough to pick up, about 10-15 minutes. (Bacon will become crisp and breadsticks will harden as they cool.) Serve breadsticks at room temperature. 

Same amazing flavor, with green beans!

Chili Bacon Green Beans 

(I'm serious when I say this might be better than the breadsticks, and you don't need a special occasion to serve it! It's a perfect side to any meal!) 

Don't be afraid to try it with brussel sprouts too!

To convert this recipe to green beans instead of breadsticks (or really any vegetable of your choice), fry bacon to very crispy (or bake in the oven on racks like I do, super easy). Chop into small pieces. Steam about 1 lb or more of fresh green beans until tender. Add chopped bacon, chili powder and brown sugar. Mix thoroughly, serve warm. 

Recipe adapted from Epicurious