Cincinnati Chili

I wasn't always from 'round these parts. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away... ok, so it was the Midwest... anyway, my early youth was spent in Chicago and then Cincinnati, before we moved to Red Sox Nation. Now, during those first few years, I'm sure I didn't really have a lot of interest in something like chili, but I remember even after we moved to Massachusetts, we would make our yearly pilgrimage back to the Midwest to visit my grandmother in Michigan, with a stop in Ohio. Somewhere along the line, I have recollections of trying and liking Cincinnati Chili. Sadly, my grandmother has been gone almost 10 years now, and I have no idea when the last time I had Cincinnati Chili was, but for the past couple years, every now and then I would get a hankering for it.

Flash forward to this past week as we were hosting another Family Game Night... what to cook, what to cook? I decided this would be my chance to make Cincinnati Chili! Although a couple nameless family members were afraid to try it because of the spices in it, I have actually gotten several raves on this recipe when it was served hot off the stove, but also as next day leftovers.

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 lb. extra lean ground beef
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. ground allspice
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• ½ tsp. red (cayenne) pepper
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1½ Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
• 1 (15-oz.) can tomato sauce
• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp. cider vinegar
• ½ cup water

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large frying pan, over medium-high heat, saute onion and ground beef, until ground beef is browned. Add garlic and chili powder and stir until combined.
2. Add allspice, cinnamon, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, cocoa, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar, and water.
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour and 30 minutes.

TOPPINGS
Traditionally, Cincinnati Chili is served on top of spaghetti. That is called a Two-Way

A Three-Way, also adds shredded cheddar cheese.

A Four-Way, also adds chopped onions.
(In the picture above, I used green onions)

And the ultimate Five-Way, also adds kidney beans on top.


For Family Game Night, I also had baked potatoes available and another options was to put the Chili on top of the potato.

Yields: 6-8 Servings

Original Recipe