Greg Duncan

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GREG DUNCAN

Have some fun ~ eat some chili

Clearly, some people will do anything to make a buck. If you have been following the news lately, you may have noticed that an individual in the States has made claims she found a finger- tip in a bowl of chili served up by a Wendy's outlet.

It turns out that there has been no link to Wendy's at all, after much investigation. The female in question has retracted her claim and has been found to have made numerous claims against various companies over the years. She has done the 'slip and fall,' and has had food-related 'problems' elsewhere, apparently.

This week, comedian Jerry Seinfeld joked that Wendy's had not found the rest of the body that matches the finger in any of their chili so therefore it could not be true

Life is full of oddities, no? A good bowl of chili deserves respect in my book. It ranks right up there with wings, ribs, chowder, and barbecue as an item that causes people to compete and brag.

Worldwide chili cook-offs and national chili clubs are proof of chili's popularity and there are as many versions as there are ingredients. Not just anyone can make a good chili - It takes time and loving attention. Sure you can toss a packet of pre-made seasoning into a can of tomatoes and beans with accompanying hamburger for a quick fix but what fun is there in that?

Do yourself a favor and simmer some goodness the right way by using this fingertip- free Texas style recipe while you wait for the rainy season to end.

Awesome Texas Chili

2 lbs. chuck stew beef, cut into small chunks
2 tbs vegetable oil
1 can (15 oz) pinto beans or kidney beans, drained
12 oz. Tomato paste
1 cup chopped onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 green pepper, seeded and cut into two pieces
5-10 slices of pickled jalapeno pepper slices (depends on your heat preference)
1 bottle of beer and enough water to equal 2 1/2 cups
1 1/2 tbs. chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp red pepper
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp salt

In large pot, brown meat in oil, in two batches, draining off fat after each batch. Return drained meat to pot. Add rest of ingredients and bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for two to three hours.