On a recent trip out West I bought a few bags of dried chili peppers. I knew I wouldn't be able to find things like them at home and they were pretty affordable. What are some good things to do with them?

What I bought:
Chilies (Mild, Medium & Hot)
Ancho Chilies
Pequine Peppers

I hear in Texas they make a nice meat stew with them.

I'd make chili myself. I pretty much throw them in anything that isn't clearly identified as a nationality other than hispanic or American Southwest. If I come up with something out of the blue, it gets some peppers. Bored with meatloaf? It gets some peppers.

grind them into a powder and use it to add heat

Chili oil is the answer

http://theconcourse.deadspin.com/how-to-make-chili-oil-aka-liquid-fun-1571198858

You can rehydrate them and use them for just about anything.   They are great for sauces, soups, marinades.

If you have a vitamix you can throw one in your soup mix or smoothie or whatever.

This.

Remove the stems and toss them in a coffee/spice grinder. Save it in an old spice jar and sprinkle it on anything that could use extra heat.

Good stuff!!!

As mentioned, they are great in Chili.

I use the Anchos and the middle top or gaujhillos  to make real Texas chilli

For 5 pounds of meat I use 8 dried peppers and I also use chilli powder from the store, about 6 table spoons.

I also us  cumin what ever you call it. a little oregano and a lot of garlic..

If I was going to just use dried I would use about 16 of those peppers add your cumin and oregano garlic onion and  if you like a small amout of tomatoes or tomato sauce.

Not traditional but a little does not hurt

first I would stem and seed them and pour a small amount of boiling water or beef stock to cover and wait about 30 mins then put the stick blender to it motor boat and then strain through a strainer if you want.

You will have the real deal

I'd reconstitute them, pull the stems, put them into a blender or processor with Shiner Bock and turn them into paste to make chili.

Red enchilada sauce

Send em to me.  :-)