Cincinnati Five-Way Chili

Created in 1922 by a northern Greek immigrant who wanted to put some of the Old Country spices into chili. This chili can be eaten several ways. One-way chili: spiced chili alone. Two-way chili: chili on top of spaghetti. Three-way chili: chili on top of spaghetti, topped with shredded cheese. Four-way chili: chili on top of spaghetti, topped with shredded cheese and chopped onion. Five-way chili: chili on top of spaghetti, topped with shredded cheese, chopped onion, and beans.

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon chili powder
• 2  teaspoons ground cumin
• 2  teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1  teaspoon ground coriander
• 1  teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  freshly grated nutmeg
• 1⁄4 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1  tablespoon canola oil
• 2  lbs ground beef
• 1  medium onion, finely chopped
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 2 1⁄2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 1⁄2 cups water
• 1⁄2 cup  commercial barbecue sauce (a sweet, nonsmoky variety)
• 2  tablespoons ketchup
• 1  tablespoon  packed brown sugar
• 1  tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 (1 ounce)  unsweetened chocolate square
• 2  bay leaves
• 1  lb  thick spaghetti, cooked
• 2  cups  shredded cheddar cheese
• 1  cup  finely chopped onion
• 1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and warmed

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the first 9 ingredients; set aside.
2. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add in ground beef; cook until meat is browned, breaking up into small crumbles with a wooden spoon.
4. When the beef is browned, add in onion, garlic, spice mix; stir/saute 1 minute.
5. Add in tomato sauce, water, BBQ sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, chocolate, and bay leaves.
6. Bring mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
7. Simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour (it should look more like a thick sauce than the chili most people are used to).
8. Remove bay leaves.
9. To serve five-way: distribute spaghetti among 8 bowls; spoon chili over spaghetti.
10. Top chili with cheddar cheese, onion, and kidney beans.