A question vis-a-vis chili and other accompaniments

[Nabubrush]

So, do you all remember this recipe thread that I shared?

We made this last night and my wife insisted on busting out the house in the middle of my cooking session and purchasing cinnamon rolls to go with it, in place of the traditional (by my standards, anyway) corn bread. Is this something any of you are familiar with? Is this a regional thing? She is originally from Pennsylvania - should I ask Donovan McNabb or Jeff Garcia? Also, do you have any amusing anecdotes of a similar nature, such as cooking eggs with slices of banana or some such madness?

The long and the short of it is, it was not bad. I cannot imagine the thought process that first came up with it, however.

[CortJstr]

I'm an oyster cracker man. Diced chilis are nice and shredded cheese I can understand. I'd never order a 5-way chili-mac but I grasp the appeal. But I don't cotton to corn bread.

I can't even wrap my head around wanting to eat chili with something frosted however.

[wombat]

That is a truly insane combination.

The only weird combination I can think of is that we used to go to a sugar house place in Western Mass. that served homemade pickles with its pancakes. It sounds horrible even now but I remember that it was a great combination, maybe because of salty pickles offsetting the sweetness of maple syrup?

I suppose there might be a similar complementarity behind cinnamon rolls with the chili but I still can only see it if they are not frosted.  But I am thinking you mean frosted ones because these are decadent times and I am not sure unfrosted cinnamon rolls aren't extinct.

[CortJstr]

That is a truly insane combination.

The only weird combination I can think of is that we used to go to a sugar house place in Western Mass. that served homemade pickles with its pancakes. It sounds horrible even now but I remember that it was a great combination, maybe because of salty pickles offsetting the sweetness of maple syrup?

I suppose there might be a similar complementarity behind cinnamon rolls with the chili but I still can only see it if they are not frosted.  But I am thinking you mean frosted ones because these are decadent times and I am not sure unfrosted cinnamon rolls aren't extinct.

Unfrosted cinnamon rolls make baby jesus cry. As does dunking them in extra frosting. It's like a sundae with extra cherries, it throws off the whole balance.

[linnea]

Yikes! that's totally crazy. I love chili and cornbread. I cannot imagine having cinnamon rolls with chili. Where is your wife from?

[Nabubrush]

Hell of frosting.

Also, I had mentioned that she is originally from PA, but she's lived in the Pacific NW for the last 15 or 20 years.

[wombat]

I wouldn't be surprised if it's an Amish thing. Those people have a wicked sweet tooth.

You should go post the question on Chowhound, I'll bet it would make for a fun thread there.

[Nabubrush]

I wouldn't be surprised if it's an Amish thing. Those people have a wicked sweet tooth.

You should go post the question on Chowhound, I'll bet it would make for a fun thread there.

I can't join that board - I only make it here once every three months as it is!

[Sub_Topical]

Never heard of such a thing. Don't mean it ain't OK, but it made my stomach cramp with the thinking on the sweet/chili mixture.

I'm good for the standard cornbread, but what I really like is to crack some biscuits in half and lay that chili over the top.

About the oddest thing I'll do is replace the mayonaisse/mustard combo on a sammich with such as a red pepper or dill hummus. But that's not really too off the wall I'm thinking.

[linnea]

Waitaminute....does she hail from Pennsylvania, or Pennsyltucky?

[Nabubrush]

Easton, Penn.

Now I want answers, people!

[Lister]

Cinnamon, butter, and sugar are all ingredients I have heard of being added to chili, though rarely in combination.  I have never heard of cinnamon rolls as a side dish before this post-y thingy.  Though cornbread is certainly the traditional side, I personally prefer Fritos Scoops, which when used to scoop up a little chili and some melted cheese are basically little bites of awesome.

A texan friend of mine puts a handful of corn chips in the bottom of the bowl and ladles the chili on top of it.  He calls this "Frito Pie," and I have heard at least one independent verification of this name.  I'm not sure what to think of it, myself.

I'm still stumped on this cinnamon roll thing.  It would imagine it to be some mutant variant made when someone was out of, say, frybread or hush puppies or biscuits or something.  I don't mix sweet with savory myself, though, so this is not a journey I will be following you on.

It is time to make some chili again.

[CortJstr]

Cinnamon, butter, and sugar are all ingredients I have heard of being added to chili, though rarely in combination.  I have never heard of cinnamon rolls as a side dish before this post-y thingy.  Though cornbread is certainly the traditional side, I personally prefer Fritos Scoops, which when used to scoop up a little chili and some melted cheese are basically little bites of awesome.

A texan friend of mine puts a handful of corn chips in the bottom of the bowl and ladles the chili on top of it.  He calls this "Frito Pie," and I have heard at least one independent verification of this name.  I'm not sure what to think of it, myself.

I'm still stumped on this cinnamon roll thing.  It would imagine it to be some mutant variant made when someone was out of, say, frybread or hush puppies or biscuits or something.  I don't mix sweet with savory myself, though, so this is not a journey I will be following you on.

It is time to make some chili again.

The Hard Times Cafe chain makes Frito Pie that way but with actual fritos. I tried it once and wasn't a fan. I definitly though the starch was a good addition but by the time you eat down to the Fritos they're all soggy. The menu claims that this started in the 40's.

I know Alton also advises adding tortilla chips to pressure good chili since that will totally dissolves them and thicken the sauce.

[wombat]

I can't join that board - I only make it here once every three months as it is!

Well fine I'll do it.

Will report back.

[Nabubrush]

Well fine I'll do it.

Will report back.

Ah Wombles, we don't deserve you.

Well, I don't, anyway.