FIREHOUSE PANTRY SPICES RECIPES

Steps:

• Place the vegetable oil, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, ranch dressing mix, and crushed red pepper flakes in a 2-gallon plastic zipper bag. Seal the bag and smoosh with your hands to thoroughly combine the oil and spices. Place the crackers into the bag, seal, and turn the bag over to cover the crackers with the spice mix. Let the bag sit for about 1 hour, then turn again. Repeat several more times until the crackers are well-coated with spice mix, and allow the bag to sit overnight. Remove crackers and serve.

Steps:

• In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium. Add the onions, chili powder, paprika, cumin and cinnamon, and cook until tender, stirring often and lowering the heat as necessary to keep the spices from burning, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. (Be careful not to let the garlic burn.)
• Add the squash, chickpeas, broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar and 2 teaspoons salt, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, cut the cauliflower into bite-size florets, trimming and discarding any long stems.
• Add the cauliflower to the pot and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the chili is thick and the vegetables are very tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt, and serve hot, with yogurt and scallions, if desired.