A Hunger for Frito Pie, From the Artery-Clogged Heart of Texas

The New York Times ^ | February 21, 2003 | JOHN SCHWARTZ

[AppyPappy]

Eastern BBQ is the best. Pig and vinegar and pepper.

[MeekOneGOP]

Mmmm-mmmm! You're makin' me HAWNGRY ! It's been a LONG time since I had some Frito Pie ...

bttt ...

[Rainmist]

Boiled peanuts aren't that hard to make. Get them raw, of course, rinse them well, then put them in a pot and cover them with cold water. Add about a cup of salt at first and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. It takes a few hours, you have to keep adding water to replace what's been boiled away. Add more salt as they boil, to taste, because peanuts that are too salty are gross ( to me ) and you can't do much about it after. I add sugar to the water to offset the saltiness. After about an hour, take a peanut out and test it. Keep boiling until they are to your liking. That's all there is to it !! I live on the east coast of Georgia and I've eaten boiled peanuts since my family was transferred here ( from NJ ) about 30 years ago. Man they are good !

[VRWCmember]

Chili out of a can is the work of the devil. Only homemade chili is fit for human consumption. Also, if you measure ingredients or follow a recipe, you're doing it wrong. I have found that sauteeing the onions and green peppers with the browning meat works well.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

You Sir, have obviously never tried Wolf Brand Chili....... I would walk away in a huff but you can't see me........

Yes, homemade is much preferred, but......for those unable to make their own.....well, Wolf's is the best........

[12B]

I can appreciate your problems living overseas. Been overseas for 11 years now and you have to get creative. I did learn how to make home-made breakfast sausage though.

[VRWCmember]

I have tried Wolf Brand Chili. If all you need it for is to spread on top of a hot dog, it is fine. If on the other hand, you want REAL chili, then homemade from scratch is the only way to go. By the way, right now I need to check on the chili I've got going on the stove to see if it needs anything added to it.

[VRWCmember]

Hey txgirl, just finished enjoying a couple of bowls of my homemade chili over some Fritos and grated cheese (cheddar and monterrey jack mixed). Believe me, once you've tried a bowl of my homemade chili, you would never consider chili out of a can to be the real thing.

[expatguy]

I can appreciate your problems living overseas. Been overseas for 11 years now and you have to get creative. I did learn how to make home-made breakfast sausage though.

I would hope that you are gonna tell me your recipe.

[VRWCmember]

CJ, if you've participated in a real Texas Chili Cookoff, then you Sir are a real Chili cook......... lol

Speaking of chili cookoffs, here are some notes regarding a chili cookoff at the State Fair from an out of town judge. It just goes to show that Texans are very serious about our chili. Well, I'll let you read the rest:

These are notes from an inexperienced chili taster named Bill, who was visiting Texas from New Jersey...

"Recently I was lucky enough to be the 10,000th attendee at the State Fair of Texas and was asked to fill in to be a judge at a chili cook-off. Apparently the original Judge #3 called in sick at the last moment, and I happened to be standing there when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (native Texans) that it would be a fun event and a true taste of Texas hospitality. They assured me that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy, and besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted. Here are the scorecards from the event."

Chili #1: Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili
JUDGE ONE: A little too heavy on tomato. Amusing!
JUDGE TWO: Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
BILL: Holy crap. What the heck is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway with it. Took me two beers to put the flames out. Hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

Chili #2: Arthur's Afterburner Chili
JUDGE ONE: Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.
JUDGE TWO: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
BILL: Keep this out of reach of children! I am not sure what I am supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to walkie-talkie in three extra beers when they saw the look on my face.

Chili #3: Fred's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili
JUDGE ONE: Excellent firehouse chili! Great kick. Needs more beans.
JUDGE TWO: A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of red peppers.
BILL: Call the EPA, I have located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Barmaid pounded me on the back; now my backbone is in the front part of my chest...I am getting plastered!

Chili #4: Bubba's Black Magic
JUDGE ONE: Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
JUDGE TWO: Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods. Not much of a chili.
BILL: I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Sally, the bar maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills.

Chili #5: Linda's Legal Lip Remover
JUDGE ONE: Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
JUDGE TWO: Chili using shredded beef; could use more tomato. Must admit, the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
BILL: My ears are ringing, and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me burst into flames. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from a pitcher. It really ticks me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Forget these rednecks!

Chili #6: Vera's Very Vegetarian Variety
JUDGE ONE: Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spice and peppers.
JUDGE TWO: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.
BILL: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I may need to sit on an ice block for several weeks after this.

Chili #7: Susan's Screaming Sensation Chili
JUDGE ONE: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
JUDGE TWO: Ho Hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. I should note that I am worried about Judge #3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
BILL: You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a darn thing. I've lost the sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. At least during the autopsy they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing. It's just too painful. Screw it. I am not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

Chili #8: Helen's Mount Saint Chili
JUDGE ONE: A perfect ending...this is a nice blend chili, safe for all, not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
JUDGE TWO: This final entry is a good, balance chili, neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 passed out, fell and pulled the chili pot on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor Yank.
BILL: (editor's note: Judge #3 was unable to report)

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

That is hilarious........ I make fabulous stuffed jalapenos....and only have been able to get a few neighbors to try them........ cowards........