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Presidents/George W. Bush

AT THE TABLE WITH GEORGE W. BUSH

Texas-style beef chili

Chili powder here means a mild spice blend, not two tablespoons of pure cayenne.

Dinner2 hr 45 minServes 6
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Texas-style beef chili — the modern table
The modern table · Serving illustration

THE STORY ON YOUR PLATE

A Tex-Mex preference becomes a home dinner

More about George W. Bush →

The forty-third president was governor of Texas before entering the White House.

Historical reconstruction

Texas-style chili offers a second reconstruction from Bush’s stated Tex-Mex preference and Texas setting. Beef, tomatoes and warm spices give this home pot its character.

The president & the table

Asked about George W. Bush’s favourite food, personal aide Blake Gottesman identified Tex-Mex as the best answer rather than selecting one particular dish. That is a useful distinction: a recorded preference for a cuisine gives a reconstruction a solid starting point.

Behind this story

Blake Gottesman, official White House question-and-answer session.

APRON ON. HISTORY CAN WAIT.

Make it at home.

Serves 6

What you’ll need

Let’s make it

  1. Brown seasoned beef in oil in a heavy pot in batches. Set aside. Soften onion in the same pot for 5 minutes.

  2. Add garlic, spices and tomato paste for 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes and stock, scraping the base.

  3. Return beef. Cover and simmer gently for 1½–2 hours until very tender, adding water if necessary.

  4. Uncover to thicken if needed. Taste for salt and heat. Serve with cornbread or rice.

Cooking notes

Metric and US measures are approximate equivalents. For baking, use weights when you can.

STAY FOR ANOTHER COURSE

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