Recipe: Enjoy Walt’s Chili at Home

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Love to make Disney Recipes at home? You can make Walt’s chili, or at least a version of this classic dish.

Walt Disney was a simple man. He enjoyed eggs for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch and often times chili for dinner. He would mix two of his favorite brands to make what he thought was the perfect bowl.

Walt’s oldest daughter, Diane, had written,

“Before he married mother, father had eaten in hash houses and lunch wagons for so many years in order to save money that he’d developed a hash house-lunch wagon appetite. He liked fried potatoes, hamburgers, western sandwiches, hotcakes, canned peas, hash, stew, roast beef sandwiches. He’s not keen for steak or any of the expensive cuts of meat. He doesn’t go for vegetables, but he loves chicken livers or macaroni and cheese.

“He liked to eat at BIFF’S (a little coffee-house near the Disney Studio). He felt they did their potatoes ‘right’ there. ‘They pan-fry them.’ Our housekeeper, Thelma, went and checked and said they were really hash-browned. Father ate a big lunch at the studio and then would pick at his dinner. Mother would say, ‘Why should Thelma and I plan a meal when all Walt really wants is a can of chili or a can of spaghetti?'”

What I find to be fascinating is that you would have thought that Walt Disney lived a lavish life after his success. That could not be more untrue, he was a simple man until his death. I sure would love to have a cup of coffee with Walt and get to know him, as I am sure many would.

Here is a recipe to recreate Walt’s Chili at home on cold winter nights. 

WALT’S CHILI RECIPE

2 pounds ground beef (coarse)
2 whole onions (sliced)
2 whole garlic cloves (minced)
2 pounds pink beans (dry)
1/2 cups celery (chopped)
1 teas. chili powder
1 teas. paprika
1 teas. dry mustard
1 can solid pack tomatoes (large can)
salt to taste

Soak beans overnight in cold water. Drain. Add water to cover 2 inches over beans and simmer with onions until tender (about four hours). Meanwhile, prepare sauce by browning meat and minced garlic in oil. Add remaining items and simmer 1 hour. When beans are tender, add sauce and simmer 30 minutes. Serves six to eight.

I have made this recipe and it’s very simple and yummy.