EAL Fall 2023

WALT DISNEY’S CHILI AND BEANS
Scott Girard
Scott worked for Walt Disney Company for 34
years before moving to Opelika. “This is Walt
Disney’s personal chili and beans recipe,” says
Scott. “He loved his chili and beans. Both the
commissary at the Disney Studio in Burbank
and the employee cafeteria at Disneyland in
Anaheim maintained this offering on their
respective menus for many years.”
• 2 lb. dried pinto beans
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, diced
• 2 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• 1 (28-oz.) can chopped tomatoes
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to
taste
Wash and sort beans and soak overnight in
cold water.
Drain beans and place in a 2-quart saucepan.
Add fresh water to cover by 2 inches.
Add sliced onions and simmer, covered, for 2
hours, until tender.
Heat oil in a large pan and sauté garlic.
Add beef and celery and cook until lightly
browned. Add chili powder, paprika, and
thyme. Mix in chopped tomatoes. Cover and
simmer for 1 hour.
When beans are tender, strain and combine
with meat mixture, stirring gently. Add salt
and pepper to taste.
Cook’s note: For a spicier chili, add 1/8 tsp.
each of ground coriander, turmeric, chili
seeds, fennel, cloves, cinnamon, and ground
ginger. You can also add cayenne pepper to
taste.
CHILI FOR FAMILY GATHERINGS
Colleen Alsobrook
• 2 lbs. lean ground beef
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 2 (1 lb.) cans tomatoes
• 2 cans kidney or pinto beans
• 1 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. crushed red pepper
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 2 tsp. salt
Brown beef and onions; drain. Add tomatoes
and seasonings. Simmer 15-20 minutes or longer
(stir frequently). Drain and rinse beans in
a colander. Add beans and simmer another
20 minutes, stirring carefully as not to break
beans.
I often cook this in a crock-pot so it simmers
much longer.
EAST ALABAMA LIVING 53