Cincinnati Style Chili

Submitted by redwine

"A savory chili that is served over spaghetti and generally topped with shredded cheddar cheese and onions. You also can add kidney beans to the pile.This is great if you make the chili a day ahead of serving.If you've never had Cincinnati Chili be sure to try it! The cocoa mellows the other spices. If you like a real spicy chili add more red pepper or chili powder."

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 20mins
• Ingredients: 18
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 2 1⁄2 cups water
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 bay leaf
• chopped onions or kidney bean, if desired

directions

1. In soup pan, bring all ingredients except meat, to a boil.
2. Crumble ground meat and slowly add to boiling mixture.
3. Return to boil, then reduce heat. Simmer uncovered 2-3 hours, or until as thick as desired. Remove bay leaf and serve over cooked & drained spaghetti. Top with shredded cheese, chopped onions and kidney beans if you like.

Reviews

[jessi_mcg]

As a former Cincinnatian I am pretty picky about what people call "Cincinnati-style" chili, but this recipe has all of the requisite ingredients to make it bona fide. Don't even think of leaving out the cinnamon, cocoa, or clove...that's what makes this the real deal. I had a big day planned today so I browned the meat and onion together then threw everything in the crock pot and set it on low. 6 hours later, dinner was served! This is a touch more watery than Skyline (the restaurant famous for this stuff) and the recipe had a lot more heat, though it could be that I used really kicky chili powder. For more authenticity I would leave out the red pepper next time and possibly cut back on the chili (or as DH suggested use Ohioan chili powder and not New Mexican LOL). Served over noodles with fresh onions and a cheese garnish and I was in 4-way heaven. Thanks so much! Made for PAC Spring 2011.

 

[EatUmUpYumYum]

Made this a couple weeks back and sadly I found it bland & tasteless. I followed the recipe to the letter. Unfortunately I've never had the real deal so I have no idea what the real deal is supposed to taste like. Considering the popularity of this dish in Cincinnati I can't imagine it was supposed to taste like mine turned out. I realize this isn't spaghetti or chili but a dish all it's own with a unfortunate borrowing of a name but with all the spices and such in it I expected something special. Sadly it wasn't.