| http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; | | | | Antonio Chile Stand introduced people from other |
| charset=utf-8"> | | | | parts of the United States to chili. San Antonio was |
| Over the centuries, the origin story of chili has grown | | | | growing as a popular tourist destination and helped |
| as famous as its flavor. A Southwestern Native | | | | Texas-style chili spread throughout the country. |
| American legend claims that chili was taught to the | | | | Chili is now a staple in any restaurant and kitchen |
| indigenous tribes of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico | | | | across the nation, and almost every recipe is |
| in the early 1600s. The legend describes a beautiful | | | | different. There is still the original Texas-style chili |
| young foreign lady dressed in blue, or La Dama | | | | that stays true to Sister María’s recipe, but |
| de Azul who mysteriously appeared and taught | | | | time and creativity has allowed chili to evolve into an |
| the tribes how to prepare a dish made with venison, | | | | artistic food and competitive flavor. Chili recipes now |
| spices, onions, and peppers. The mysterious young | | | | include any type of beans, tomatoes, corn, |
| lady was discovered to be a Spanish Nun, Venerable | | | | pineapples, oranges, beer, chorizo, coffee, tequila, |
| Sister María de Agreda. | | | | cola, honey, cinnamon, molasses, vinegar, whisky, and |
| While in Spain, Sister María would go into trances | | | | bourbon. You can even make chili without meat, as |
| with her body lifeless for days. When she awoke | | | | vegetarian chili has become widely popular throughout |
| from her trances, she claimed her spirit had been to | | | | the United States. |
| a faraway land and spread her beliefs and knowledge | | | | As the recipe of chili evolves, so does its usage. In |
| to human savages. It is believed that Sister | | | | recent decades, chili has become a popular topping |
| María never physically left Spain. | | | | for chili (hot) dogs, chili burgers, chili fries, chili con |
| Support for this legend can be found in the earliest | | | | queso, or Frito® Chili Pie. You can put chili on or in |
| known record of missionary exploits in the New | | | | just about anything salty to give it that spicy kick |
| World in 1670 by Bishop Jose Jimenez Samaniego. In | | | | your taste buds are craving. |
| 1888, Fr. Michael’s Muller also recounts | | | | Chili can take hours to prepare and simmer, while only |
| interactions between Native Americans in | | | | moments to enjoy. Now there is a fast and easy |
| Southwestern United States and Sister Maria in his | | | | way to create your own chili toppings at home in a |
| book, Catholic Dogma. | | | | matter of minutes. Cedar Hill Seasonings has created |
| During the 1880s, brightly dressed Hispanic women | | | | a Chili/Taco Mix Packet that will make any salty |
| known as chili queens began to operate | | | | snack, cheesy dip, or delicious dog dripping with thick |
| around public squares in downtown San Antonio. | | | | chili flavor. Chili is a popular cold weather concoction, |
| They usually appeared at dusk and built fires to heat | | | | and as the winter months approach, it’s past |
| up cauldrons of chili, which they sold by the bowl. At | | | | time your pantry gets stocked up on all things chili. |
| the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the San | | | | |