In a quirky twist to Halloween, Brad Belcher of Owensboro, Kentucky, celebrated the holiday in a way that left many scratching their heads: by eating chili with a donut stuffed in the bowl. And just to be clear, Brad wants to assure everyone—no alcohol was involved in this unusual food pairing.
You might be wondering, “Donuts in chili? Why?” The explanation is surprisingly simple but adventurous. Brad recently came across a trend where people top their chili with cinnamon rolls. As strange as it sounds, it’s a tradition that’s been around for decades. In fact, Better Homes and Gardens recently published a story about it, noting that it’s a long-standing custom in the Midwest.
Katlyn Moncada, the writer of the piece, explains that this combination of chili and cinnamon rolls has been popular for over 70 years, so much so that it’s become as common as peanut butter and jelly.
Brad, always open to trying new things, was intrigued by this and decided to put his own spin on the idea. He recalled a story about R&B icon Luther Vandross, who famously used glazed donuts as the bread for his hamburgers. Inspired by both the cinnamon roll trend and the Vandross burger, Brad had an idea: why not try a donut in his chili?
For the record, this combination isn’t as wild as it seems. The Krispy Kreme Burger, which uses donuts as buns, has been a popular attraction at the Kentucky State Fair for over 15 years.
With that inspiration, Brad decided to give it a go, using Rolling Pin donuts—the local favorite in Owensboro. “Why not?” he thought.
How Did It Taste? Should You Try It?
The result? Surprisingly delicious, according to Brad. He found that the combination of sweet donuts and savory chili worked surprisingly well. He experimented with two methods: breaking up the donut and letting it soak in the chili, and dipping the donut directly into the chili. While both methods were tasty, Brad’s favorite way to enjoy it was dipping the donut into the chili.
Now, the question is—would you try donuts in your chili? If you’re feeling adventurous, it might just be worth a taste!
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