From her website:

"Its almost chili weather so its time to bone up on the history, folklore and cooking of chili. Texans love to eat, and one dish they cant get enough of is chili€”so much so that chili con carne is Texass state meal. This seemingly simple staple of Texan identity proves to be anything but, however. Beans or no beans? Beef, pork, or turkey? From a can or from scratch?

"Texas Is Chili Country is a brief look at the favored fare€”its colorful history, its many incarnations, and the ways it has spread both across the country and the world. The history includes chuckwagon chili, the chili queens of San Antonio, the first attempts at canned chili, the development of chili societies and the subsequent rivalries between them, and the rise of chili cook-offs.

"And what would a book about chili be without recipes? There are no-fat recipes, vegan recipes, and recipes from Mexican-American cooks who have adapted this purely American food. Some have been tried, but many are taken on faith. Recipes are included from state celebrities such as Ladybird Johnson, Governor Ma Ferguson, and chili king Frank Tolbert."


https://groups.google.com/forum/#!to...ns/ROOoY-kF4Sk
(mainly about her other books - murder mysteries, juvenile biographies, YA novels, etc.)



Lenona.

On Sunday, July 22, 2018 at 6:26:21 PM UTC-5, wrote:
>
> From her website:
>
> "Its almost chili weather so its time to bone up on the history, folklore and cooking of chili. Texans love to eat, and one dish they cant get enough of is chili€”so much so that chili con carne is Texass state meal. This seemingly simple staple of Texan identity proves to be anything but, however. Beans or no beans? Beef, pork, or turkey? From a can or from scratch?
>
>

Notes From An Inexperienced Chili Taster Named FRANK, who was visiting
Texas from the East Coast:

"Recently I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off.
The original person called in sick at the last moment, and I happened to
be standing there at the judge's table asking directions to the beer
wagon when the call came. 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: Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili - JUDGE ONE: A little too
heavy on tomato. Amusing kick. JUDGE TWO: Nice, smooth tomato flavor.
Very mild. FRANK: Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could
remove dried Anita from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the
flames out. I 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. FRANK:
Keep this out of reach of children! I'm 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 rush in more beer 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 bean less
chili, a bit salty, good use of red peppers. FRANK: 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 shit-faced from all the beer.

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. FRANK: I felt something scraping across
my tongue, but was unable to taste it, is it possible to burn-out taste
buds? Sally, the bar maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills;
that 300 lb. bar maid is starting to look HOT, just like this nuclear-
waste I'm eating. Is chili an aphrodisiac?

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.
FRANK: 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 a pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my
lips off? It really ****es me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those 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. FRANK: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous,
sulfuric flames. I shit on myself when I farted and I'm worried it will
eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except
that slut Sally, she must be kinkier than I thought. Can't feel my lips
anymore. I need to wipe my ass with a snow cone!

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 Number 3. He appears
to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
FRANK: You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't
feel a damn 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. My pants are full of lava-like shit to
match my damn 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: 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, balanced chili, neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see
that most of it was lost when Judge Number 3 passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor Yank, wonder how he'd have reacted to a really hot
chili?
FRANK: --------------(editor's note: Judge #3 was unable to
report.)

On Sun, 22 Jul 2018 18:46:49 -0700 (PDT), "
> wrote:

>Notes From An Inexperienced Chili Taster Named FRANK, who was visiting
>Texas from the East Coast:
>
>"Recently I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off.
>The original person called in sick at the last moment, and I happened to
>be standing there at the judge's table asking directions to the beer
>wagon when the call came. 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: Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili - JUDGE ONE: A little too
>heavy on tomato. Amusing kick. JUDGE TWO: Nice, smooth tomato flavor.
>Very mild. FRANK: Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could
>remove dried Anita from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the
>flames out. I 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. FRANK:
>Keep this out of reach of children! I'm 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 rush in more beer 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 bean less
>chili, a bit salty, good use of red peppers. FRANK: 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 shit-faced from all the beer.
>
>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. FRANK: I felt something scraping across
>my tongue, but was unable to taste it, is it possible to burn-out taste
>buds? Sally, the bar maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills;
>that 300 lb. bar maid is starting to look HOT, just like this nuclear-
>waste I'm eating. Is chili an aphrodisiac?
>
>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.
>FRANK: 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 a pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my
>lips off? It really ****es me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those 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. FRANK: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous,
>sulfuric flames. I shit on myself when I farted and I'm worried it will
>eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except
>that slut Sally, she must be kinkier than I thought. Can't feel my lips
>anymore. I need to wipe my ass with a snow cone!
>
>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 Number 3. He appears
>to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
>FRANK: You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't
>feel a damn 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. My pants are full of lava-like shit to
>match my damn 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: 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, balanced chili, neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see
>that most of it was lost when Judge Number 3 passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor Yank, wonder how he'd have reacted to a really hot
>chili?
>FRANK: --------------(editor's note: Judge #3 was unable to
>report.)

So Texans like hot food? I knew there HAD to be something likeable
about them. And Frank's a wuss.

Druce wrote:
> On Sun, 22 Jul 2018 18:46:49 -0700 (PDT), "
> > wrote:
>
>> Notes From An Inexperienced Chili Taster Named FRANK, who was visiting
>> Texas from the East Coast:
>>
>> "Recently I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off.
>> The original person called in sick at the last moment, and I happened to
>> be standing there at the judge's table asking directions to the beer
>> wagon when the call came. 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: Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili - JUDGE ONE: A little too
>> heavy on tomato. Amusing kick. JUDGE TWO: Nice, smooth tomato flavor.
>> Very mild. FRANK: Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could
>> remove dried Anita from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the
>> flames out. I 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. FRANK:
>> Keep this out of reach of children! I'm 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 rush in more beer 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 bean less
>> chili, a bit salty, good use of red peppers. FRANK: 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 shit-faced from all the beer.
>>
>> 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. FRANK: I felt something scraping across
>> my tongue, but was unable to taste it, is it possible to burn-out taste
>> buds? Sally, the bar maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills;
>> that 300 lb. bar maid is starting to look HOT, just like this nuclear-
>> waste I'm eating. Is chili an aphrodisiac?
>>
>> 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.
>> FRANK: 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 a pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my
>> lips off? It really ****es me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those 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. FRANK: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous,
>> sulfuric flames. I shit on myself when I farted and I'm worried it will
>> eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except
>> that slut Sally, she must be kinkier than I thought. Can't feel my lips
>> anymore. I need to wipe my ass with a snow cone!
>>
>> 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 Number 3. He appears
>> to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
>> FRANK: You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't
>> feel a damn 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. My pants are full of lava-like shit to
>> match my damn 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: 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, balanced chili, neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see
>> that most of it was lost when Judge Number 3 passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor Yank, wonder how he'd have reacted to a really hot
>> chili?
>> FRANK: --------------(editor's note: Judge #3 was unable to
>> report.)
>
> So Texans like hot food? I knew there HAD to be something likeable
> about them. And Frank's a wuss.
>

If you want frank's hot sauce, you can make your own cheaper than buying
it. Here's the recipe:

Mix 1 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of water. Add 4 cups granulated sugar.
Add two drops of Tabasco sauce. Add a few drops of red food coloring
(optional). Stir well. Serve.