Heheh, yeah, threads like this make me happy I grew up in Texas. My brother and I both taunt each other with pictures when we make “mom tacos”. Both of us wish we were having the other’s dinner when we do that. Home fried tortillas are worth extra points, mom would often offer both home fried and factory made.
Nachos with jalapenos, beans and spiced ground beef were a Sunday staple. Sometimes with cheddar, but often with the peppered Velveeta. Best thing to accompany Battlestar Galactica.
The chili I grew up with was my aunt Anita’s recipe. It’s much like the one cited by @terentii up thread, but it called for an entire box of Gebhadrt’s chili powder instead of part of it, and at least three dried cayenne pepper pods. It was delicious, and very hot. I’ve come close to recreating it/improving it with different re-hydrated chilies and spices. It’s thicker and richer that way, but it’s still basically the same chili.
All of that said, I was still subjected to the blandness of things such as tater tot casserole. My mom had grown up in Texas, but she still had access to things like Better Homes and Gardens. Some of the worst gastronomical atrocities she wielded could be traced back to a clipping from a magazine.
So, I blame the housekeeping publishing industry in the US between the 1950s-1980s. Dang. those folks put out some awful recipes.