Fall/winter food is all about comfort and connections. Sharing a meal brings people together, and research increasingly shows that gathering around the table can give meaningful boosts to mental health. To explore this link between food and wellbeing, representatives of A Mission for Michael, a family-founded organization providing treatment for mental health, asked 3,014 self-described U.S. food lovers one simple question: Which one fall dish would you most like to enjoy with family this season?
Respondents' No. 1 answer to this question was Texas Chili!
Fall in Texas is synonymous with chili season, where this hearty dish becomes a staple at tailgates, cook-offs and family meals. Texas chili, often made with beef, chili pepper and a variety of spices, is a warm, flavorful dish that’s perfect for the cooler fall weather. The rich, spicy flavors of Texas chili reflect the state’s bold culinary traditions, making it a must-have during the fall months.
Some people say traditional Texas chili, or chili con carne, is only a thick, rich stew made with chunks of beef, a blend of dried chili peppers such as ancho, guajillo, and pasilla, and a flavorful broth, with no beans or tomatoes. Key characteristics include the use of larger cuts of beef, such as chuck roast or brisket, which are slow-cooked until tender, and a paste made from reconstituted and blended dried chiles to create a deep, complex flavor. Do you enjoy basing chili on a dried chile paste rather than chili powder? That's the secret some swear makes the magic of authentic Texas chili.
Other state foods that rounded out top 10 spots in this questionnaire were: 2) Illinois with pumpkin pie; 3) Tennessee with country ham; 4) New York with apple cider doughnuts; 5) Alabama with pecan pie; 6) Arkansas with chicken and dumplings; 7) Michgan for caramel apples; 8) Iowa for its cornbread; and 9) Kansas for pumpkin bread.