Chili Recipe

A winning recipe: Dorene Ritchey's 5-R Chili 2 pounds Cubed or coarsely ground boneless, trimmed beef (chuck or shoulder arm preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon Vegetable shortening
  • 1-½ teaspoon Hot sauce
  • 8 oz. Tomato sauce
  • 2 Beef bullion cubes
  • 2 Jalapeño peppers, skin surface slit
  • 6 tablespoons Chili powder (or to taste)
  • 4 teaspoons Ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon Onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ½ teaspoon White pepper
  • 3/8 teaspoon Cayenne
  • ¼ teaspoon Oregano
  • 1/8 teaspoon Crushed bay leaf

Cook meat over medium heat in melted shortening until meat is gray in color. Add hot sauce, tomato sauce, bullion cubes, 1 jalapeño and water to cover. Simmer, covered, 40 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add water if needed. When jalapeño is soft, squeeze in juice and discard pulp and seeds.

Mix together chili powder, cumin, onion, garlic, salt, white pepper, cayenne, oregano and bay leaf; divide into 3 portions. Add one portion spice mixture and remaining jalapeño. Continue to cook for one hour adding water as needed. Remove jalapeño, squeeze juice into chili and discard pulp and seeds. Add second portion of spice mixture. Continue cooking for another 30 minutes, adding water if needed. Add remaining spice mixture and cook 15 minutes more. (Chili should be kept thick during cooking. Adding too much water keeps the spices from permeating the meat.)

Some Chili Quotes

1977 - The chili manufacturers of the state of Texas, successfully lobbied the Texas legislature to have chili proclaimed the official "state food" of Texas "in recognition of the fact that the only real 'bowl of red' is that prepared by Texans."

Famous Quotes about Chili "Next to music there is nothing that lifts the spirits and strengthens the soul more than a good bowl of chili." Harry James (1916-1983) band leader and trumpeter

"Wish I had time for just one more bowl of chili." Alleged dying words of Kit Carson (1809-1868), Frontiers Man and Mountain Man "Chili is much improved by having had a day to contemplate its fate." John Steele Gordon

"Chili is not so much food as a state of mind. Addictions to it are formed early in life and the victims never recover. On blue days in October, I get this passionate yearning for a bowl of chili, and I nearly lose my mind." Margaret Cousins, novelist

"The aroma of good chili should generate rapture akin to a lover's kiss." Motto of the Chili Appreciation Society International

"Chili concocted outside of Texas is usually a weak, apologetic imitation of the real thing. One of the first things I do when I get home to Texas is to have a bowl of red. There is simply nothing better." Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President of the United States

"Whenever I meet someone who does not consider chili a favorite dish, then I've usually found someone who has never tasted good chili. Jan Butel, author of Chili Madness