Alan and Susan Dean of Johnson City and their Pure Texan Chili blend. Courtesy photo
JOHNSON CITY — Alan Dean laughed when asked what the secret ingredient is in his and wife Susan’s world-famous chili.
“We’ve appeared on television in Maryland, Texas and California,” he said. “We used to go into this long drawn-out answer. Now, we just say it’s ‘attitude.’”
That ingredient along with five top 10 finishes at Terlingua International, the competition that crowns the world’s best chili, which Susan won in 2008, is what pushed the couple to market their unique spice blend now available to the public called Pure Texan Chili.
“Friends have been saying for years they love our chili, that we ought to find a way to make it,” Dean said. “We bit the bullet.”
Five weeks ago, the blend hit shelves at Whittington’s Jerky and General Store, Texcetera and 290 Vinery, all in Johnson City; Becker Vineyards in Stonewall; and Barons Creek Vineyards in Fredericksburg. The first production sold out in two weeks.
A pot of chili made with Pure Texan Chili mixed with ground beef, tomato paste and water takes anywhere between 45-60 minutes to cook and enjoy at home, Dean said.
“It’s real easy; it’s exciting,” Dean said. “It’s fresh out of the box.”
The couple got their start in cooking chili because of a running club to which they belonged.
“We liked to get together and party,” Alan said with a grin. “Our excuse for a party was a chili cook-off.”
They used a recipe from a Beaumont friend for that first cook-off. Since then, the Deans have created their own.
“It seemed like a challenge we wanted to take on,” he said. “We live in an area where we have lots of visitors and Winter Texans. They may want to take chili home.”
The two are co-hosting the Not-Your-Ordinary Chili Cook-Off Party from noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at 290 Vinery, 300 W. Main in Johnson City.
The event has two categories:
• a chili or dish using Pure Texan Chili spice blend;
• and a savory or sweet dish using the spice blend in snacks, desserts, breakfast food or other meat dishes. It can be a rub or a marinade, Alan said.
Judges will award first, second and third prizes, and attendees can participate in voting for People’s Choice.
A grand champion also will be crowned.
Email Dean at info@puretexanchili.com or visit puretexanchili.com for more information.
jfierro@thepicayune.com
