Masa in Chili

[Wesser]

Why is it so hated by so many? I don't use it, but I have eaten it in chili many times and it adds something, including nice thickness. Just wondering why the hate. (Please dont use this as a platform for beans in chili -- that is communism).

 

[threesheets]

Required as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Mack Tripper]

paging MrMyke

 

[bozo_casanova]

Real Texans don't let other people boss their chili around. I'll eat beans (or not) as I damn well please.

It's your damn chili. Seeking approval is emotional masa.

 

[THEU]

masa is a must.

 

[Tex Pete]

I agree with bc.

Personally, I don't like the taste of masa, so when I use it, I don't use enough to really taste it.

 

[Stove Top]

Okay, I have never done this but have wanted to try it. Two questions.

1. What kind of masa? masa harina (flour) or masa maiz (corn)?

2. At what point in the cooking process do you add said masa?

Thanks for the input.

 

[UTEE]

I don't add masa, but I'm okay with those that do. Generally, not enough is added to affect the flavor.

If you're going to use it, do it at the end, but give it enough time to cook into the mixture (20 minutes). The raw taste of uncooked masa WILL adversely affect the flavor. Also, like flour or corn starch, it's best to mix it with a little liquid first, stir it into a paste, and then add to your chili. Otherwise, you'll end up with lumps.

 

[TimHorn]

i thicken my chili with oat flour. oats in the old coffee grinder till its a powder, use about a 1/4 cup for the pot

 

[DoobieWah]

I've added masa but usually don't. It did make it a little thicker without any noticeable flavor change.

I've also just tossed a couple of cut up corn tortillas. The cooking time is long enough that they just dissolve. Works the same as the masa, (which should be added as a slurry btw). (EDIT: Which UTEE noted above.)

 

[Sooner-Tuf]

Crushed up Corn Chips is an easy to get the same effect.

 

[accuratehorn]

Git a rope! Corn chips? Egad.
The masa harina should be used only if you screw up and at the end of the cooking, the chili is too thin or watery. It is something to fix errors, not a vital ingredient.

 

[Mrmyke709]

What accuratehorn sez...
I was up in Lake Tahoe for skiing and had to suffer the abomination that is chili with beans.

 

[jimmyjazz]

Real men put beans in their chili.

 

[dfw75201]

I like the taste, in the background, so I make a bit of slurry and let it cook in the last 30 minutes or so. No big deal and it adds good flavor, unlike beans, which just take up volume to help stretch the budget.

 

[UTEE]

In reply to:

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[crayon1973]

If I want to thicken it I just cook it longer.... That being said I have no issue with it.

 

[Brubricker]

If it doesn't have beans then it's just beef stew. Texans don't make chili. They just make spicy beef stew.

 

[accuratehorn]

Texans invented chili, chowderhead. Anything with beans in it is not chili, it is a casserole or pot pie or souflee or something.
And you violated the cardinal rule of ordering food while out-of-state, Never Order What is Great Back Home. You will just be disappointed. Try whatever it is they like there, just don't order chili, Mexican food, chicken-fried steak, or BBQ. It will suck in comparison.

 

[DallasHorn]

Brubicker:

The Link

Chili was not created with beans in it, and if anyone knows anything about Chili, Texans do.

 

[jimmyjazz]

wiki is a fantastic reference.

 

[Mrmyke709]

In reply to:

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[UTEE]

Yup, you ain't kiddin', I've been to many spendy ski resorts.

Still, $15 is a small price to pay to avoid eating bean soup.