On Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 12:42:55 AM UTC-5, Orlando Enrique Fiol wrote:
> >Indeed, I witnessed some Texans ordering chili in Hawaii. It wasn't a pretty sight. It was a couple dressed like Roy and Dale in their cleanest, fanciest, duds. Beats me what the deal was with the outfits. Maybe the circus was in town or maybe the road cast of OKLAHOMA! was looking to get a bite after a performance. The dude put
> up a big fuss over that small bowl of chili. There was beans and hamburger in it! The worst part for a Texan would be that it's served with rice. Holy shit man! Call the posse! The poor waitress was there all alone trying to explain what the guy was seeing before him. That was like a guy trying to explain calculus to an anteater.
> >The joint was a coffee house that my wife and I would go to late Saturday nights. We'd order pancakes and a pineapple boat. My recommendation to Texans is they should never order chili in Hawaii - just stick with pancakes and pineapple boats.
> As a Caribbean Hispanic, I proudly assert that rice goes with absolutely everything, including chili.
> --
> Orlando Enrique Fiol
> Charlotte, North Carolina
> Professional Pianist/Keyboardist, Percussionist and Pedagogue
> Ph.D. in Music theory
> University of Pennsylvania: November, 2018

I live in the US, but often read British food writing (Guardian, BBC, etc). Im surprised how often their chilli con carne recipes call for it to be served with rice.

Im no chili purist, I like rice in all its forms, and have enjoyed chili with rice more than once. But they seem to regard rice as an almost indispensable accompaniment.

It truly doesnt bother me how people choose to eat their chili, but Ive long found it odd that this inauthentic (in its native Texas) pairing seems so ubiquitous in England.

Im not oblivious to the fact there are many stranger and less authentic food pairings common in the US (and elsewhere).

Take a look at BBCs compilation of chilli con carne recipes and see what you think.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/chilli_con_carne