"Chili Numero Uno" Chili

The First Cookoff

1967 World Championship Winner

Some of the pioneers who started or attended the first World's Championship were: Carroll Shelby, Tom Tierney, H. Allen Smith, Wick Fowler, Dave Witts, Bill Neale, Frank X. Tolbert, Father Duffy, Ormly Gumfudgin, and Bill Doner to name a few. It was a shoot-out between Wick Fowler and H. Allen Smith. There were three judges; Hallie Stilwell, Floyd Schneider and Dave Witts. Hallie voted for H. Allen, Floyd voted for Wick. Dave Witts, the self- proclaimed mayor of Terlingua and third judge, spat out both samples and declared his taste buds were ruined! He called it a draw and declared a moratorium for one year.

4 lbs course-ground chopped sirloin or tenderloin
olive oil or butter
1-2 small cans tomato paste, with water
OR fresh tomatoes, finely chopped
OR canned tomatoes pressed through a colander
3-4 medium onions, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
2-10 cloves garlic, minced
1 TBS oregano
1/2 TSP sweet basil
1 TBS cumin seed or ground cumin
salt and pepper to taste
3 TBS (or more) chili power
OR some chili pods

Instructions:

In a 4-quart pot, brown meat in oil or butter or in a blend of the two. Add the remaining ingredients,
Simmer 2-3 hours with the lid on.