The Great Chili Debate: Beans or no Beans?

[MisterMajestic]

Here in Dirty, Dirty South Carolina everyone puts nasty ass Kidney beans in their Chili and thinks they’re eating something special. I Hate beans including Kidney beans and I will bypass anybody’s Chili that’s loaded with that mess. I don’t know when the last time I had Chili and never thought about making a batch of my own minus the Beans.

A while back I was talking with a buddy of mine online and he said REAL Chili doesn’t have beans in it. He said the next time I come to Texas he’ll show me what real Chili should taste like (his special Hot version).

So what say you? Do you prefer your Chili with or without Beans?

[alister]

It's kind if funny , the only thing I like beans in is chili. I use red kidney beans in mine and make it extra spicy.

[jaysizzles]

Beans! 3 kinds...red kidney beans, chili beans, and pork & beans.

[HoodedRat]

I love beans in my chilli ... but I'm a vegetarian so I skip all the dead-minced-cow stuff.

[palbert]

Beans, beans, the musical fruit ...

How can you have chili without red kidney beans.

See, Blazing Saddles.

[zoltanspawn]

As long as it's well-made, I like meatless versions, bean-and-meat versions and meat-only versions.

I went down, down, down...

[LilBit]

I love beans in my chilli ... but I'm a vegetarian so I skip all the dead-minced-cow stuff.

Li'l Bit is also vegetabletarian. Sometimes he puts the fake ground beef in his chili, but he prefers it with just beans, tomatoes, spices, and veggies.

[FuryOfFirestorm]

Chili without beans is just meat sauce. I make a 3 bean chili with kidney beans, soybeans and black beans. I also use ground toasted cumin seeds, a little Mexican chocolate, and a bit of masa flour to thicken it a little. My favorite garnishes are a dollop of sour cream and oyster crackers.

[Falcon16]

No beans unless served separately for those who want beans. Choose pinto beans.

I love a true bad ass Texas chili. NO beans. NO tomatoes.

Just meat, herbs, and spices. Period.

[HoodedRat]

^
No tomaotes?

[Falcon16]

^
No tomaotes?

No tomatoes.

The recipe I make consists of

lean beef
olive oil
bay leaves
chili powder
salt
up to 10 cloves chopped garlic
cumin (comino)
oregano
marjoram
red pepper
black pepper
sugar
paprika
flour or corn meal

[G-Lexington]

I'm actually neutral on this one. I enjoy chili with beans, and I enjoy chili without.

Here's the TRUE sacrilege. I prefer my chili to not be spicy.

Lex

[loki81]

definitely beans. I usually use pinto and/or kidney beans.

chili without beans may as well just be a spicy meat sauce to eat with some pasta.

[Falcon16]

Lex!!!!!!

[Falcon16]

You guys really should give this recipe for a Texas chili a try. No beans, no tomatoes.

http://www.nytimes.com/recipes/5651/...con-carne.html

[HoodedRat]

I prefer my chili to not be spicy.

Pervert!

[cynicus]

Texas Chili Contest

Frank: "Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cooking contest. The 
original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at 
the judge's table asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I 
was assured by the other two judges (native Texans) 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 Eddie's Maniac Monster Chili...
Judge # 1 --! A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.

Judge # 2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.

Judge # 3 -- (Frank) What the hell is this stuff?! You could remove dried paint from your 
driveway. Took me two beers to put out the flames. I hope that's the worst one. These 
Texans are crazy!

Chili # 2 Austin's Afterburner Chili...

Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.

Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor; needs more peppers to be taken seriously.

Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to 
taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich 
maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.

Chili # 3 Ronny's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili...

Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick. Needs more beans.

Judge # 2 -- A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of peppers.

Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been 
snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now.
Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is 
in the front part of my chest. I'm getting pie-eyed from all of the beer.

Chili # 4 Dave's Black Magic...

Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.

Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish, or other mild foods; 
not much of a chili.

Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it 
possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh 
refills. That 300-lb. woman is starting to look HOT...just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! 
Is chili an aphrodisiac?

Chili # 5 Lisa's Legal Lip Remover...

Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable 
kick. Very impressive.

Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.

Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead, and I can no longer 
focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. 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 the pitcher. I wonder if I'm 
burning my lips off. It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop 
screaming. Screw those rednecks.

Chili # 6 Pam's Very Vegetarian Variety...

Judge # 1 -- Thin, yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers.

Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.

Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulphuric flames. I 
pooped on myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat through the chair! No one seems 
inclined to stand behind me anymore. I need to wipe my butt with a snow cone.

Chili # 7 Carla's Screaming Sensation Chili...

Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.

Judge # 2 -- Ho-hum; tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the 
last moment. **I should take note that I am worried about Judge # 3. He appears to be in a 
bit of distress, as he is cursing uncontrollably.

Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a 
thing. I've lost 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. My pants are full of lava 
to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me.
I've decided to stop breathing; it's too painful. Screw it; I'm 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 Karen's Toenail Curling Chili...

Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold, but spicy enough 
to declare its existence.

Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild, nor hot. Sorry to see 
that most of it was lost when Judge # 3 farted, passed out, fell over, and pulled the chili 
pot down on top of himself.
Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor fella, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot 
chili?

Judge # 3 -- Oh God.........


[loki81]

You guys really should give this recipe for a Texas chili a try. No beans, no tomatoes.

http://www.nytimes.com/recipes/5651/...con-carne.html

looks like a great recipe... for a spicy meat sauce

[bankside]

I don't enjoy the texture of beans but then I don't really enjoy the flavour of chili. I can't remember the last time I ate it, probably 11 years ago.

[Falcon16]

looks like a great recipe... for a spicy meat sauce

Yes, that's what basically it is; a spicy but not "hot" meat sauce. With all that chili powder, cumin, and paprika, you don't want to serve it with pasta, lol.

But I do like to serve it with beans, Pintos, cooked and served separately. Put some beans in your bowl, then the chili. Put some shredded Monterey Jack cheese on the top, serve with saltines and beer...lots of beer.

[G-Lexington]

Lex!!!!!!

Pervert!

Pretty much. My issue is that people seem to focus completely and solely on "heat". It's always "five-alarm chili" and "hellish chili" and "ass-kicking chili". I don't want to fight my food. I want to enjoy my food. And I know many of people can discern plenty of stuff around "heat", but after a certain point, all I taste is "heat". If it's exceptionally hot, I can't even discern texture anymore. It's like having my mouth cut to ribbons, and that's the only sensation I'm getting. What I like about chili is the delicious beef (and bean, if present) and spices interacting, and if it's too hot, that's completely lost on me.

Lex

[rareboy]

Must have beans.

And be made with steak chunks, not ground beef.

And adobo.

And some bittersweet chocolate.

- - - Updated - - -

Must have beans.

And be made with steak chunks, not ground beef.

And adobo.

And some bittersweet chocolate.

[gsdx]

Beans! 3 kinds...red kidney beans, chili beans, and pork & beans.

I use 3 types as well: red kidney beans (2 tins), beans in tomato sauce (2 small tins without pork), and chick peas (1 tin).

The chick peas were an accident. I bought the wrong type by mistake and decided to put the in the chili anyway. I loved it and I put them in all the time now.

[FuryOfFirestorm]

Yes, that's what basically it is; a spicy but not "hot" meat sauce. With all that chili powder, cumin, and paprika, you don't want to serve it with pasta, lol.

But I do like to serve it with beans, Pintos, cooked and served separately. Put some beans in your bowl, then the chili. Put some shredded Monterey Jack cheese on the top, serve with saltines and beer...lots of beer.

In some places, they serve chili on spaghetti and cover it with shredded cheddar cheese.

[FuryOfFirestorm]

I use 3 types as well: red kidney beans (2 tins), beans in tomato sauce (2 small tins without pork), and chick peas (1 tin).

The chick peas were an accident. I bought the wrong type by mistake and decided to put the in the chili anyway. I loved it and I put them in all the time now.

I've done that too. If you like chickpeas in chili, try using hominy. It has a similar taste and texture.

[FuryOfFirestorm]

Must have beans.

And be made with steak chunks, not ground beef.

And adobo.

And some bittersweet chocolate.

- - - Updated - - -

Must have beans.

And be made with steak chunks, not ground beef.

And adobo.

And some bittersweet chocolate.

Yes on everything, but I like both ground beef and steak chunks. Every used Mexican chocolate in lieu of bittersweet? It's not sweet at all and has hints of almonds and cinnamon.

[zoltanspawn]

No tomatoes.

The recipe I make consists of

lean beef
olive oil
bay leaves
chili powder
salt
up to 10 cloves chopped garlic
cumin (comino)
oregano
marjoram
red pepper
black pepper
sugar
paprika
flour or corn meal

You know anybody who uses whole dried chilis instead of chili powder? Or, at least, like, ancho chili powder? I'm not a Texan, but I like to add a mix of dried peppers.

And be made with steak chunks, not ground beef.

Agreement.

and the flames went higher

I like it lipsmacking hot.

And don't tell my friend New Mexico, but Texas makes a better Frito Pie.

[Vannie]

All of you need to try my Chili recipe with extra beans.I like to call it Chili ala Hiroshima

[zoltanspawn]

Yes on everything, but I like both ground beef and steak chunks.

You mean, together? Haven't tried that.

[jaysizzles]

I'm not familiar with Mexican chocolate...will have to search around to see if/where it's available. I do put a tbsp or 2 of cocoa powder in my pot of chili....love the way it turns the sauce a nice rich dark color.

[MissAnne]

Ive been making a veggie chili for quite sometime. The recipe does call for beans, but I NEVER put bean in it. I realy dont enjoy kidney beans or most beans for that matter.

When I do have beans they are baked vegetarian.

[loki81]

Pretty much. My issue is that people seem to focus completely and solely on "heat". It's always "five-alarm chili" and "hellish chili" and "ass-kicking chili". I don't want to fight my food. I want to enjoy my food. And I know many of people can discern plenty of stuff around "heat", but after a certain point, all I taste is "heat". If it's exceptionally hot, I can't even discern texture anymore. It's like having my mouth cut to ribbons, and that's the only sensation I'm getting. What I like about chili is the delicious beef (and bean, if present) and spices interacting, and if it's too hot, that's completely lost on me.

Lex

I don't judge... I usually prepare my chili as relatively mild/medium; I figure people can always as spice to their bowl as desired (via hot sauce or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper).

I had a bad incident once where I made myself a pot of super spicy gumbo. after eating it for an entire long weekend, my lips were raw and in pain from the spice... ever since, I appreciate having post-cooking spice options and it's easier to spice it up than mild it down.

[gsdx]

I've done that too. If you like chickpeas in chili, try using hominy.

I don't think that is even sold up here. It's not even in my spell-check dictionary.

[zoltanspawn]

Coffee? Cigar ashes? Bourbon? Smoked cinnamon? Venison? Cane syrup?

[rareboy]

I'm not familiar with Mexican chocolate...will have to search around to see if/where it's available. I do put a tbsp or 2 of cocoa powder in my pot of chili....love the way it turns the sauce a nice rich dark color.

Perfectly good subsitute. We also use it for gravies.

[FuryOfFirestorm]

I'm not familiar with Mexican chocolate...will have to search around to see if/where it's available. I do put a tbsp or 2 of cocoa powder in my pot of chili....love the way it turns the sauce a nice rich dark color.

It's available in most stores, either in the exotic foods section or the sugar and flour aisle. It comes in little discs, not squares.

[blackbeltninja]

We don't do chili here in .za.

We do bolognese or arrabiata with pasta, and that's about as far as it goes.

it's easier to spice it up than mild it down.

Full-fat or double-cream yoghurt or (sour) cream is the easiest way to take the heat out of something. Or coconut milk, but I suspect that will screw too much with the flavours you have already. Works well to de-heat Thai food, though.

-d-

[FuryOfFirestorm]

I don't think that is even sold up here. It's not even in my spell-check dictionary.

It comes in cans and is usually found next to the canned corn.

[doctorsun]

No beans. That's real chili.

In any case, I prefer Cincinnati chili, which is always without beans in the chili itself. Beans are only added as a topping if one desires.

[star-warrior]

All of you need to try my Chili recipe with extra beans.I like to call it Chili ala Hiroshima

I bet it winds up as Krakatoa when it emerges at the other side..

[gsdx]

It comes in cans and is usually found next to the canned corn.

In 6 decades, I have never seen it for sale up here. If grits aren't the same thing, I haven't seen that for sale, either.

I guess it's as popular up here as poutine is popular down there.

[G-Lexington]

I had a bad incident once where I made myself a pot of super spicy gumbo. after eating it for an entire long weekend, my lips were raw and in pain from the spice... ever since, I appreciate having post-cooking spice options and it's easier to spice it up than mild it down.

Actually, it's easier to dump the whole bottle in, and try to belittle and guilt-trip people into eating it.

Lex

[Audio Tech]

I actually didn't care for chili in general, until my dad accidentally put mint in it instead of whatever it was that looked similar.

Dear god, I couldn't eat enough of it! Now we always put some mint into chili. Beans or not.

[ixthrock]

Beans. I use dried kidneys or maybe black beans or pintos (or a combo if I've got leftovers), and for many years made Vegetarian Chili.

My chili is usually spicy in the "flavor" sense rather than blister-the-tongue sense. I'm with you, Lex; I like to taste the melange of flavors. I never use a recipe - the combo of beans, tomatoes, peppers, cumin, paprika and cayenne varies but it's always "chili" to me.

Now you guys have got me in a mood to make some.

I've been wanting to make a Green Chili with tomatilloes rather than tomatoes. Maybe that's what I'll do.

[refujiunderground]

chili is still chili, beans in it or not. it's the meat that counts. this thread has me thinking about chili dogs, chili dogs with nacho cheese and plain chili with hot sauce.

[cynicus]

In some places, they serve chili on spaghetti and cover it with shredded cheddar cheese.

Cincinnati, the home of chili five-way. Worse chili in the world--and take that from a kid from Cincinnati. Now I await the hate-mail from the Queen City citizens.

[youfiad]

Chili without beans is like ketchup without tomatoes......

[geloge]

I like chili, I like beans...

[MisterMajestic]

Never tried Veggie chili but if all you're doing is sustituting meat for Beans then I aint eating it...I hate Pinto beans, Black Eyed peas, Limas, kidneys and the rest...The only beans I'll eat for Life 24/7 are String Beans...

I give you guys a lot of Credit for cooking and doing your own thing at the Crib...The Most popular chili served at a Fast Food joint is none other than Wendy's...Not one of you mentioned Wendy's...That's saying a whole lot about your personal cooking/eating tastes...

[Pianist]

Beans... also not too too much spice. I prefer to taste the flavours, not have my taste buds burnt out.