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.
Our home adaptation · Serves 6 · Not yet kitchen-tested
What you’ll need
Let’s make it
Brown seasoned beef in oil in a heavy pot in batches. Set aside. Soften onion in the same pot for 5 minutes.
Add garlic, spices and tomato paste for 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes and stock, scraping the base.
Return beef. Cover and simmer gently for 1½–2 hours until very tender, adding water if necessary.
Uncover to thicken if needed. Taste for salt and heat. Serve with cornbread or rice.
About this home version
A modern home recipe with practical ingredients and measured quantities.
Metric and US measures are approximate equivalents. For baking, use weights when you can.
