Several years ago, then senator John Tower
of Texas stood up on the floor of the United 
States Senate and flatly declared that Texans 
make the best chili without question, whereupon 
Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona sprang to 
his feet and declared among other things that 
"Texans don't know chili from cow chips!" 
With the honor of the two great states challenged, 
a chili war ensued. Here is Senator Tower's recipe:

JOHN TOWER'S TEXAS CHILI

• 3 lbs. coarsely ground flank steak
• 15 oz. can tomato sauce
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp Tabasco sauce
• 3 heaping Tbsp ground chili powder
• 1 heaping Tbsp Mexican oregano
• 1 heaping Tbsp Cumin
• 2 onions, chopped
• garlic to taste
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cayenne
• 1 tsp paprika
• 12 red peppers
• 4-5 chili pods
• 2 heaping Tbsp flour

Sear meat until grey. Add tomato sauce and water, stirring until well blended. Add Tabasco sauce, chili powder, oregano, cumin, onions, garlic, salt, cayenne, paprika, red peppers and chili pods. Simmer one hour and fifteen minutes over mesquite wood (if possible). Add thickening of flour mixed with water. Simmer another 30 minutes, stirring often.