The fourth thursday of February celebrates National Chili Day. Chili was originally known as Chili Con Carne. In Spanish, the word chile refers to a “chili pepper”, and carne is Spanish for “meat”. The original recipe consisted of dried beef, suet, dried chili peppers and salt, which were pounded together, formed into bricks and left to dry, which could then be boiled in pots on the trail.
Chili con carne dates back to 1893 when it was introduced at the Columbian Expo in Chicago. The San Antonio Chili Stand helped people taste and appreciate chili. San Antonio was a tourist destination and helped Texas-style chili con carne spread throughout the South and West. In 1977, Texas Legislature declared Chili con carne the official dish of the state of Texas.
Before World War II, hundreds of small, family-run “chili joints” could be found throughout Texas and other states, particularly those in which émigré Texans had made new homes. Each establishment usually had a claim to some kind of secret recipe.
The question of whether beans "belong" in chili has been a matter of contention among chili cooks for a long time. While it is generally accepted that the earliest chilis did not include beans, proponents of their inclusion contend that chili with beans has a long enough history so as to not be considered "inauthentic." The Chili Appreciation Society International specified in 1999 that, among other things, cooks are forbidden to include beans in the preparation of chili for official competition—nor are they allowed to marinate any meats.I prefer my chili with black beans which have been rinsed.
Today is a good day for a savory bowl of Chili. Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to your recipe for additional flavor, it' so good! Turkey meat is a wonderful alternative to beef.
