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Cincinnati Chili Recipe

Cincinnati Chili
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Cincinnati Chili is a unique chili known for its Mediterranean-spiced meat sauce, often served over spaghetti and topped with various ingredients like cheese, onions, and beans.

Ingredients

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  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 2 large onions, chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/4 cup water (or more, if needed for consistency)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Cooked spaghetti, for serving
  • Shredded cheddar cheese, for topping
  • Chopped fresh onions, for topping
  • Canned kidney beans, warmed, for topping

Instructions

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess fat.
  2. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until the onions are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili powder, cocoa powder, cumin, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, allspice, cayenne pepper, and cloves. Add the bay leaves and water.
  4. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld. If the chili becomes too thick, add a little more water.
  5. Remove the bay leaves before serving. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  6. Serve the chili over cooked spaghetti, topped with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped fresh onions, and warmed kidney beans, according to your preference.

Notes

  • For a thinner chili, add more water or beef broth during the simmering process.
  • This chili tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have more time to develop.
  • You can adjust the level of spice by increasing or decreasing the amount of cayenne pepper.
  • Traditional Cincinnati Chili is often served in ‘ways’: 2-Way (spaghetti and chili), 3-Way (spaghetti, chili, and cheese), 4-Way (spaghetti, chili, cheese, and onions or beans), 5-Way (spaghetti, chili, cheese, onions, and beans).

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenvan.com/cincinnati-chili-recipe/