On a recent thread, Woodstockdoug mentioned that he might start judging Texas chili contests. I grew up in Oklahoma, where we appreciated Texas chili -- but only if we couldn't get some of our own. Here is a recipe from the county where I was born.
GARVIN COUNTY CHILI
"A bowl of good chili is one of the Lord's gifts to a troubled world."
"Richard S"
Ingredients:
2 pounds ground beef. (Ground chuck is preferred, as ground sirloin tends to dissolve during cooking.)
2 pounds lean stew beef, cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
3 cups chopped red onions. (Yellow or white onions will do.)
1 clove garlic, finely chopped.
6 tblspns chili powder. (This is the minimum amount required and is suitable for frail women, small children, and visiting parsons. Increase according to taste.)
1 tblspn ground cumin seed. (Increase according to taste.)
1 tblspn ground oregano.
4 cups tomatoes. (Fresh tomatoes are preferred; canned tomatoes will do.)
2 fresh chili peppers, finely chopped. (See comments on chili powder.)
1 cup raw wild honey.
4 cups red kidney beans. (Those self-proclaimed "purists" who maintain that chili should be made without beans deserve sympathy but should otherwise be ignored.)
1 pint beer. (A good quality lager is preferred.)
2 tblspns salt. (Increase according to taste).
1 quart sour cream, chilled.
1 pound sharp cheddar cheese, grated.
1 cup green (Spring) onions, finely chopped and chilled.
1/4 cup masa harina (corn flour).
Directions:
1. Brown the meat in a large skillet, skimming away the fat.
2. Place the browned meat in a large pot and stir in the garlic, salt, oregano, cumin, and chili powder.
3. Add the red onions, tomatoes, beans, honey, chili peppers, and beer, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer, stirring to the bottom every several minutes, for two hours. Stir in the masa harina to bind the whole mess together and simmer for another half hour. The chili should be thick, but add beer if more liquid is needed.
4. Serve the chili piping hot, topped by grated cheddar cheese, chopped and chilled green onion, and chilled sour cream.
5. Recommended side dishes: hot cornbread and corn on the cob.
6. To wash the chili down, the frail women, small children, and visiting parson may be served iced tea. For the true Garvin County Chili lover, "criminally cold" beer is recommended, which may be supplemented by the occasional shot of something stronger.
7. If the visiting parson should object to any of the above, help him saddle his horse, escort him to the gate, and suggest that the Lord's work urgently requires his presence elsewhere.
8. The foregoing recipe should serve about 10 average people or 5 chili fanatics.
Note: Garvin County is a small county in south-central Oklahoma renowned for its beautiful women, head-strong men, shallow oil and gas wells, superb pecans, fine cattle, fast horses, and some of the best chili in the world.
Enjoy, y'all! ;)