Chili Con Carne Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
Most adults and children love chili. National Chili month in October gives you a chance to try a new chili recipe. There are many different chili recipes from different states in the US and from other countries. It is a popular dish that has contests and yearly cookoffs where contestants compete for cash and prizes. Many restaurants in the United States serve a delicious bowl of chili a popular menu item that adults and children love.
A Brief History of Chili
Chili in ancient Mayan and Aztec times was a dish of beans cooked in a spicy tomato sauce. Later chili con carne became a recipe developed in the US with ties to Mexico using meat and beans cooked in tomato sauce. Chili is made at home, in restaurants, and served at special events. The dish is believed to have originated in Texas after the Civil War.
Chuck Wagon Used In Cattle Drives Photo Source: Commons Wikimedia
In 1882 Americanized chili was added to the Army's food supply by order of the Inspector General. It was recommended by officers of the Army as a healthy meal. In Texas cattle drives in the 19th century always had a chili chuck wagon. They served chili with peppers, onion, beans, and tomato sauce. They believed beef was too valuable to use in the recipe. The served chili and beans on tin plates.
In the mid 1800s Texas prisoners were served chili with cheap tough beef, chopped fine, chiles, and spices boiled in water. In the 1920s chili joints were common in the West located in most towns and cities. Chili parlors often were a shed or one room with a counter and stools. Chili fed many poor families.
Wolf Brand Chili Photo Source: 99 Cent Chef
Later chili was sold in brick form after the Depression, and in 1921 marketed in cans. One of the first was called Wolf Brand Chili. The business was sold and the new owners had Model T Ford trucks with cabs shaped like chili cans and the label Wolf Brand Chili painted on the truck. The truck had a live wolf in the back confined to a cage.
Some companies sold chili seasoning and supplied restaurants with recipes. Today many companies make chili kits with recipes and ingredients. They are sold in supermarkets and online. The Chili Appreciation Society started up in Dallas in 1940. They distributed recipes, held contests, and cookoffs.
Chili Animation Source: Giphy
Ways to Celebrate National Chili Month
Stop by your local restaurant and order a bowl of chili that you never tried before. Dine at the restaurant with family and friends or takeout food and enjoy a meal at home watching the game or a movie.
Look for recipes online for different types of chili. Buy the ingredients at your local supermarket and prepare the recipe at home for family. Invite friends or neighbors to join you.
Buy a chili kit sold online or at your local supermarket if time is limited. It has ingredients and a recipe to follow. Some chili kits are Hunts Chili Kit, Carol Shelby's Texas Chili or Chili Kits, Wick Farmer Two Alarm Chili Kit, and Old El Paso Seasoning with a recipe. This makes it easier and quicker to make a pot of chili.
Throw a chili potluck at work order from a local restaurant or have your co-workers make and bring in different recipes. This can be done at work or for club meetings.
Websites With Chili Recipes
Pot of Chili Photo Source:Flicker/Waferboard
The Daily Meal Guide to Regional American Chili Styles
Serious Eats Divided States of Chili Guide
Simply Recipes: The 21 Best Chili Recipes Ever
Spicy Chili with Sausage, Ground Beef, and Smoked Paprika
Chile Peppers Source: Giphy
You will need a medium sized skillet, measuring spoons, measuring cups, cutting board, knife, strainer, microwave safe bowl, wooden spoon, stove, and microwave.
1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
1 red bell pepper seeded and chopped
1 medium white onion skin removed and diced
1/2 lb. of ground sausage meat
1/2 lb. of ground beef
1 can of red beans drained and rinsed off
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 cup of crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon Sirchia sauce
1 cup basmati rice
2 cups water for rice
Directions:
In a medium bowl add warm water. Cut the pepper in half and remove seeds. Cut ends off onion, remove peel and cut in half. Soak in water five minutes. Strain.
On cutting board cut pepper into bite size pieces. Dice onion very fine. Add oil to pan and over medium heat add the pepper and onion. Cook over medium heat about five minutes and then add both the sausage and the beef. Sauté and cook about five more minutes, Put the beans in a strainer and rinse off and add to the chili. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
Let the mixture cook another five minutes. Add the crushed tomato sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, and Sirchia sauce. Mix well with spoon and let cook until it dries out but does not stick to pan. Take off burner and cover.
Cook rice in microwave safe bowl measuring two cup of water to 1 cup rice. Cook about 15 minutes or according to package directions. Serve rice with chili. Serves about 4.
Animation on Wolf Brand Chili Source: Giphy
References:
Food Timeline Lyn Oliver, Virginia Tech University Library Chili Con Carne 2024
Chili Appreciation Society International 2024
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