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Chili...Beans or no Beans?

tapwatertapwater Member Posts: 10,336 ✭✭✭
edited March 2015 in General Discussion
..I know a lot of competitions don't allow beans. Regionally, we always use beans to some extent. My wife took the liberty of entering me in a non sanctioned contest where she works. I'll just send a batch which has taken me 35+ years to perfect to our liking.
..Most competitions insist everything be cooked onsite. I couldn't do that, as I cook a roast low and slow the day before. Guess I'll never make the big leagues because of that. How about you folks....beans or no beans?
..Oh yeah, don't ask for a recipe. I tried measuring once and just can't do it..[:o)]
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Comments

  • bullshotbullshot Member Posts: 14,731 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Chili without beans is something like chili but not quite.
    "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you"
  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Any competition that does not allow beans in the chili must be ran by Obama lovin anti-gun leaf lickin' tree huggin' global warming is real pansies.

    Chili MUST have beans or it ain't chili!!!

    My house, my rules...[:D]
  • tapwatertapwater Member Posts: 10,336 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Flying Clay Disk
    As a competition chili cook, I can tell you this; 99% of all true competitions will disqualify you for using beans in chili!

    It is SACRILEGE!! A CARDINAL SIN!!

    <----Rocky Mountain Madness (chili)




    ..I'm well aware of that, FCD. How do sanctioned events stand on tomatoes? I've heard that real "cowboy" chili didn't have them because they weren't available to the guys on the trail.
  • reload999reload999 Member Posts: 3,080 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Chili needs beans [:)]
  • Chief ShawayChief Shaway Member, Moderator Posts: 6,289 ******
    edited November -1
    I use Brooks Hot Chili beans.
    Never had a complaint. [:D]
  • Chief ShawayChief Shaway Member, Moderator Posts: 6,289 ******
    edited November -1
    I could never do the competitions because I also only use deer burger.
  • Sam06Sam06 Member Posts: 21,244 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The right way is no beans but I like it both ways.

    I really like Green Chilli made with pork.
    RLTW

  • HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998
    edited November -1
    With beans, it is a Stew. Without, it MIGHT be a Chili.
  • dreherdreher Member Posts: 8,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Handload nailed it!
  • machine gun moranmachine gun moran Member Posts: 5,198
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Sam06
    The right way is no beans but I like it both ways.

    I really like Green Chilli made with pork.



    +1,000

    With or without beans. GIMME! GIMME!

    Damn spoons are never big enough. [:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p][:p]
  • JamesRKJamesRK Member Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For me beans or no beans comes down to a question of is it a snack or a meal. If I'm just eating a pound or two as a snack to hold me 'til supper time no beans is fine. If I'm going to call it a meal and get up from the table feeling like I've had something to eat it will have to have beans. Sorry FCD.

    If it's the time honored debate of semantics, I consider that a bigger waste of time and effort than the 9mm vs .45 ACP debate. Most of the people in that debate have no idea of the origins and history of Chili con carne. Chili is a pepper, not a culinary innovation. Chili is called chili because it contains chili peppers or something made from chili peppers. Any dish which contains chili peppers can correctly be called chili.
    The road to hell is paved with COMPROMISE.
  • RobOzRobOz Member Posts: 9,523 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I like and make it both ways.
  • searcher5searcher5 Member Posts: 13,511
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Chief Shaway
    I could never do the competitions because I also only use deer burger.


    Me, too. And beans.
  • retroxler58retroxler58 Member Posts: 32,693 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Beans Baby... Gotta get my motor runnin' and it's GAS all the way!
  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,565 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    BEANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how else do you make chili and fart.[;)]
  • JamesRKJamesRK Member Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Flying Clay Disk
    No need to be sorry. Doesn't offend me in the least. To each his own.

    However...one minor correction; "Chile" is a pepper, "Chili" is a sauce made with Chilies. [:D]
    Smart *. [:I] [:D]
    The road to hell is paved with COMPROMISE.
  • RobOzRobOz Member Posts: 9,523 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,085 ******
    edited November -1
    Real Texas chili is supposed to be made without beans.

    Even so, I can take either way. If I am making it, I usually make with pinto beans. Not black beans (YUCK!) not red beans, not kidney beans, but pintos only.

    Cook a good roast. Pike's Peak is good. Eat some of it.

    Cook a pot of pinto beans with pork. Eat some of it.

    Now, the next day or the day after, you have leftover beans and leftover roast. Use the beans as a foundation, cube the roast for the meat, and then add the other stuff for your chili recipe. If adding tomatoes, plan on simmering the chili for several hours to properly liquefy them.
  • retroxler58retroxler58 Member Posts: 32,693 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by JamesRK
    quote:Originally posted by Flying Clay Disk
    No need to be sorry. Doesn't offend me in the least. To each his own.

    However...one minor correction; "Chile" is a pepper, "Chili" is a sauce made with Chilies. [:D]
    Smart *. [:I] [:D]
    Chili made with Chilies (or just one HOT Chile) (beans or NOT) throw-down !!! [:p][:p][:p]
  • mogley98mogley98 Member Posts: 18,291 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    FCD No Chile powder?

    Mine is 2 pounds of venison burger browned
    2 cans of diced tomatoes with green chiles
    1 can of dark red kidney beans
    1 can of light red kidney beans
    1 large chopped green pepper, sub with Jalapeno or other peppers
    1 large chopped onion
    2 tablespoons of chili powder
    salt
    pepper
    1/2 teaspoon cumin
    1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
    1 small squirt of Hershey's chocolate syrup

    Cook in crock pot overnight on low and eat.
    Why don't we go to school and work on the weekends and take the week off!
  • pwilliepwillie Member Posts: 20,253 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Flying Clay Disk
    It's in the "spices" category, along with Cumin and some others.


    "Cumin"...isn't that a blood thinner?
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    No Meat ok. No Beans forget it.
  • RobOzRobOz Member Posts: 9,523 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    1 deer or beef roast cubed or cut into bite size
    1-2 pound or so ground deer or beef
    1 pound loose hot sausage
    brown roast meat and salt and pepper to taste
    I mix the ground meat and sausage together with my hands and brown seperate from the roast. sausage take a little longer and you don't want to dry your roast meat out.

    2 large onion and 3 cloves of garlic. I soften the onions and add the garlic at the end of the onion cooking portion. Don't want to burn the garlic.

    I like my chilli with lots of peppers. I use what ever I have in the garden or freezer.
    I used
    jalapeno
    gypsy
    green bell
    cherry
    I taste the hot peppers first and adjust accordingly.

    I cook peppers just until they start to get soft.

    I then boiled for the recomended 5 minutes
    2 quarts of home canned hot tomato juice
    1 quart plain home canned tomato juice
    (sometimes I will toss in a can of whole tomatoes)

    I am sure you could use store bought tomato sauce/juice and get the same results.

    I then throw the meat and veggies in.

    All seasoning is to your specific taste. I go easy and taste until I get it right. You can always add more.

    chilli powder
    red pepper flakes
    cumin
    regular sugar
    salt
    black pepper
    Italian season ( go real light, you don't want to turn it into red sauce.)

    Then cook on medium low for a good couple hours. It will cook down some. If it does not thickin to your liking you can add a small amout of paste. (a table spoon or two usually gets it done)

    I then add a 12oz? can of kidney beans. You can add as much as you like. Let them cook for 30 minutes or so. Then eat!
  • tapwatertapwater Member Posts: 10,336 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    ..I knew I'd start a debate!...[}:)]...I use a beef roast of some type. It could be top round, sirloin tip or whatever. Sometimes a rolled pork roast also. I'm sure you'll all scowl, but I use a couple bottles of Heinz chili sauce along with the twenty-odd other ingredients. It seems to give the batch a "bright" flavor that I can't describe.
  • nutfinnnutfinn Member Posts: 12,808 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I come from Finland, and I know chili has beans [:)]
  • kimikimi Member Posts: 44,719 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    as long as the sauce is good I like it with saltine crackers, and if I want more substance to it, which I sometimes do, I'll add rice and/or beans to it as well.
    What's next?
  • tapwatertapwater Member Posts: 10,336 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by kimi
    as long as the sauce is good I like it with saltine crackers, and if I want more substance to it, which I sometimes do, I'll add rice and/or beans to it as well.


    ..At first that sounded almost criminal. After some thought, it makes some sense. Like beans, it would add substance to it and stretch the batch out. I think that I'd cook the rice first because I don't like thickened chili. That's just wrong. Everything in it should stand on it's own for a purpose.
  • kimikimi Member Posts: 44,719 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by tapwater
    quote:Originally posted by kimi
    as long as the sauce is good I like it with saltine crackers, and if I want more substance to it, which I sometimes do, I'll add rice and/or beans to it as well.


    ..At first that sounded almost criminal. After some thought, it makes some sense. Like beans, it would add substance to it and stretch the batch out. I think that I'd cook the rice first because I don't like thickened chili. That's just wrong. Everything in it should stand on it's own for a purpose.


    I know. I never did buy into eating chili any other way. [:)]
    What's next?
  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,265 ******
    edited November -1
  • rob223rob223 Member Posts: 2,358 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • tapwatertapwater Member Posts: 10,336 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    ..I don't think anyone has mentioned BACON! That's my first ingredient. One half to a whole pound of (trimmed) diced bacon for the grease to soften the onions and peppers. Then come the herbs and spices to let the essential oils meld with the bacon fat. If you semi freeze the bacon, you can dice it with sharp scissors.
  • gesshotsgesshots Member Posts: 15,678 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    chili3.jpg > I wonder if Wendy's still sells much Chili !

    [:0][;)][:D]
    It's being willing. I found out early that most men, regardless of cause or need, aren't willing. They blink an eye or draw a breath before they pull the trigger. I won't. ~ J.B. Books
  • RobOzRobOz Member Posts: 9,523 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Flying Clay Disk
    Oh, I forgot to mention chilies. I add lots of chilies, usually a mixture of green, serrano and jalapenos. I experimented with halepeno peppers a couple times. I like the heat, but they impart too much of a distinct flavor.

    The trick with a true competition grade chili is you shouldn't be able to distinguish and any particular flavor or spice over the rest. Everything should work perfectly together. Then you've got a winner.






    never heard of a halepeno pepper
  • tapwatertapwater Member Posts: 10,336 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Flying Clay Disk
    Oh, I forgot to mention chilies. I add lots of chilies, usually a mixture of green, serrano and jalapenos. I experimented with halepeno peppers a couple times. I like the heat, but they impart too much of a distinct flavor.

    The trick with a true competition grade chili is you shouldn't be able to distinguish and any particular flavor or spice over the rest. Everything should work perfectly together. Then you've got a winner.






    ..That's what I've strived for. I've tasted too many that had an overpowering flavor of cumin, oregano, vinegar, sugar or some other ingredient. When it melds into something wonderful but indistinct, it's right.
  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,503 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Uhhh, FCD: Chile is a country; a chili is a pepper.

    As to the beans or no beans argument, the whole competition rules aspect is moot. Those rules are in place to handicap the cooks and make it easier for the judges; they have little to do with what is real chili.

    At a bare minimum, chili is meat and chili peppers, slow-cooked together. After that, we can add spices like cumin, and toothsome additives like onions. It's still chili. The problem comes when we start adding other stuff. At what point do the "other things" alter the dish enough that it's no longer chili?

    I'm not going to draw that line.

    But I will say that adding beans is far enough short of that undrawn line that chili with beans is still chili.


    One last thing to FCD: I'd be willing to bet that your last secret ingredient is either a bit of dark chocolate or a spoonful of peanut butter. Either one adds that "Can't figure it out but it's great" layer of flavor. No, you don't have to say.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    anybody who has watched the uncut campfire scene in Blazing Saddles KNOWS real chili has beans
  • armilitearmilite Member Posts: 35,490 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I can live with chili either way and sometimes I throw in some ready cut spaghetti or elbow macaroni as well to bulk it up.
  • tapwatertapwater Member Posts: 10,336 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    ..Rocky, I've tried the chocolate and don't care for the nuance it adds. I've heard about the PB but we make BIG pots full and don't want to cook up something we don't like. When I say BIG, I mean the biggest cast iron Dutch oven we have and pressure can six or more pints from it. Maybe sometime, I'll take a bit out and try the PB....[;)]
  • tapwatertapwater Member Posts: 10,336 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by armilite
    I can live with chili either way and sometimes I throw in some ready cut spaghetti or elbow macaroni as well to bulk it up.

    ..Egad! Are you from Cincinnati?..[:D]..Really, chili is okay on pasta but not IN the chili pot.
  • GrasshopperGrasshopper Member Posts: 17,045 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    One can of mild chile beans,,it's what it is Dale,



    I got off work last night and during the storm, of ice and snow and drove through Steak & Shake,,,couldn't wait to get home and have some semblence of chile",,wellabout 80% beans and didn't even fill 1/2 of a regular bowl,[B)]
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