I'm a 7th generation Texan. My families lived in the Republics of Mexico and Texas in the 1800's. We never put beans of any kind in chili; beans are always a sidedish. I makes me sick when I pick up magazines and someone has a chili recipe with beans in it. Evidently, they have fallen under some foreign (non-Texan) influences some place. It even comes in cans. I keep calling the companies to educate them in our ethnic cuisine; I hope I get my message across to the rest of the USA someday.
2006-08-17 16:32:04 · 18 answers · asked by Ariel 128 5 in Food & Drink ➔ Ethnic Cuisine
I've been acused of provoking people more than once but, really I had about 2 points in mind here.
Every region of the country had its own traditional dishes that they do not like to be cooked any other way than theirs.
Texas was the first Hispanic state to be admited to the US. Our rebellion with our mother country was with Mexico. Being a former republic and national group within America were are a legitimate ethnic and sub-cultural group. No other state can match the mystique of Texas.
I ask all of you to come to Texas to one of our famous Chili Cook-Offs to taste real Chili Con Carne and see how hot you like it.
Our state motto is "Friendship". Adios!
2006-08-19 11:24:02 · update #1
First of all, Chili con Carne does NOT come originally from Texas, or from YOUR family's recipes. It comes originally from MEXICO. Down there it was probably referred to as a "guisado" which simply means a "stew" or "casserole" dish.
(The "chili con carne" title was probably assigned by some little old Mexican lady trying to explain to some ·"gringo" cowboys, just what she was cooking in the pot which smelled so good!)
There are as many different types of "guisados" in Mexico as there are are Mexicans cooks! Ground beef "guisados" (or to use the Texan name "chili con carne") where I live, in Mexico City are completely different than those from the north. Almost none have beans, some have raisins, some have peas, some use hot chilis, some chipotles, etc, etc. They are often sold in the street stalls here ("puestos") as taco filling.
My wife's family here in the DF had NEVER tried real Texas style "chili con carne" until I (a Canadian) made it for them many years ago. Now I get a lot of requests when the family goes "pot luck" at parties and family events.
I like both ways. To pour over toast, buns etc. I like the pure meat style. To eat with rice or as a cassarole type dish, I like the beans. (The beans are a big help when the budget is tight.)
But hey, "Tex-Mex" or "Tejano" cuisine is its OWN type of cooking and is justly famous as such. You are the Texans, you make the rules. I think its legitamate, but if Texas decides that with beans is not "official" chili con carne, well maybe those of us who love it can call it something else, maybe - "chili con carne y frijoles." Anyway, I love it both ways.
2006-08-18 00:44:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Texas is not a nation, and chili did not originate there! Texas was an independent nation when it won its independence from Mexico, but it joined the USA and is a state since then. It could legally split into several states. Chili is Mexican. There is chili with or without beans. If you like it without, that is fine, but do not say it is not proper to put beans in it. You are not anyone's boss. Everyone is free to cook it as he likes. What makes you such an expert? Nothing at all, for you are not!
2006-08-18 10:36:44 · answer #2 · answered by miyuki & kyojin 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Does not matter if beans are in it or not...personally I would have it no other way, I love kidney beans and just a little meat in mines. Traditional or not I just love it that way. Everything is not always by the book, but does that make it wrong no... It only makes it tastier. I love beans in my Chili. Texas does not own chili, if it did then we would have to get the meat, the spices and everything else shipped from there to make this dish. You may have cultivated it, but you did not solely create it.
2006-08-18 23:40:57 · answer #3 · answered by theone-N-only 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
From Wekipedia:
"Chili (full name, chili con carne) is a spicy stew-like dish, the essential ingredients of which are beef, pork, venison, or other mature meat, and chili peppers. Variations, either geographic or by personal preference may add tomatoes, onions, beans, and other ingredients (brown sugar is often a favorite condiment). There are also many versions of vegetarian chili, made without meat (sometimes with a meat substitute). The name "chili con carne" is a slight corruption of the Spanish chile con carne, which means "chili with meat". Chili con carne is the official dish of the U.S. state of Texas."
Good luck in your Quest. You should probably write to Wekipedia too.... ?
2006-08-18 00:07:28 · answer #4 · answered by cosmosclara 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
K, just because you and your family don't like beans in your chili doesn't mean the rest of Texas has to follow your tradition. I am a 3rd or 4th generation Texan, and I love beans in my chili.
2006-08-17 23:37:51 · answer #5 · answered by The Apple Chick 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Wow, does that need work!!!!!!!!
First, how can a state have a national dish? I suppose even a cute little state like Texas can have a state dish, but your blowing smoke when you say "national" dish.
If reading makes you sick, then your problem is psychological, not gustatorial.
I'm curious how grateful the companies are for your "educating" them, and for pointing out their ignorance.
If this is the message you'd like to get "across the USA someday," then it's too bad that AIDs, hunger and poverty and poor education and the Chicago Cubs have never reached your sensibilities.
2006-08-18 00:04:31 · answer #6 · answered by Jim B 1 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Well: I'm from Colorado and I like beans in my chili, and *gasp* corn too. And, last time I checked this was a free country and if I want beans and corn in my chili, I can have beans and corn in my chili.
2006-08-17 23:46:44 · answer #7 · answered by Heather 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
sorry to say this, but I myself is fond of removing or adding something to any recipes, depending on my taste...beans in chili is nice, it tastes good and i wouldn't mind anymore what the original recipe would have been...
2006-08-17 23:53:35 · answer #8 · answered by chona a 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
my family has been in Texas since 1805 and we make chili both ways, just a personal matter of taste. now find something important to complain about.
2006-08-17 23:45:59 · answer #9 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Ha! That's funny. I'm a Texan, too. Ethnic cuisine? Really? Oh well. Sorry you're so pained.
2006-08-17 23:37:53 · answer #10 · answered by *AstrosChick* 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋