Cincinnati Chili
Cincinnati folk traditionally serve their unique chili concoction over spaghetti topped with chopped onion, shredded cheddar cheese and crispy oyster crackers.
Recipe Ingredients:
Chili:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 medium onions, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds lean ground beef
4 cups beef broth
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon ground allspice
3 tablespoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons water
1 bay leaf
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt, or to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Spaghetti pasta, cooked according to package directions
Toppings:
Onion, chopped
Cheddar cheese, shredded
Oyster crackers
Cooking Directions:
- In large cooking pot, sauté onions and garlic in vegetable oil until onion has softened. Remove onion mixture from pot and set aside.
- In same cooking pot add the ground beef, cook and drain. Return onion and garlic to cooking pot and add 4 cups water, beef base, tomato sauce and allspice. Cook over low heat 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl, make a thin paste with the chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, flour and 2 tablespoons water. Add to the beef mixture and stir well. Add bay leaf, ground cloves, vinegar, cocoa mixed with the 1/2 tablespoon oil, salt and pepper Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add more water if chili becomes too thick and begins to stick to bottom of the pot.
- To serve Cincinnati Chili in the traditional manner, ladle over cooked spaghetti pasta and top with the shredded cheese, chopped onions and oyster crackers.
Makes 8 servings.
Variation: If desired, 1 (16-ounce) can of kidney or pinto beans, drained and rinsed, can be added at the end of the cooking time.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/8 of recipe; toppings not included.): 409.3 calories; 62% calories from fat; 27.9g total fat; 86.3mg cholesterol; 1027.3mg sodium; 698.7mg potassium; 16.8g carbohydrates; 2.9g fiber; 6.4g sugar; 13.9g net carbs; 23.2g protein.
Recipe and photograph by Hope Cantil; Copyright © 1999; property of CooksRecipes.com. See Terms of Use.