DIY Chili flakes

This is a fun little project to do when you have a little bit of spare time. The results should last you for a good long while! I did it because my chili plant produces way to much to use and this is a great way of storing this spice. But of course you can also use your favorite store bought chilies.

The wonderful thing about making your own flakes is that you can make them as spicy or mild as you please....

There are two possible routes to choose from.
First option:
You dry the chilies whole first.

I cut off the tops and stem and tried to remove most of the seeds by rolling the chilies between my hands. If you decided to go for milder varieties, this step may not be necessary.

Then you just chop them to your desired consistency in a blender.

Alternatively you could start with fresh chilies. De-seed them if necessary and chop them finely then spreed out on to a baking sheet and dry them in a low oven for a couple of hours. Move them around a couple of times and make sure it is really dried out before you store them. Otherwise they could get mold and all your effort would have been for nothing.

I have already used my chili flakes in this meatball recipe.

They were quietly slipped into my freezer waiting for unannounced guests or an evening when I don't feel like preparing something from scratch...

Post edit: I actually took out some earlier this week and  combined them with a simple tomato sauce and spaghetti. I'm sorry not to add pictures at the moment. Blogger isn't allowing me to upload any....