Zesty Cincinnati Chili Recipes

CINCINNATI CHILI

Steps:

• Cook the tomato paste: Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the tomato paste to the dry pot and cook, constantly scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, until the tomato smells rich and toasty and you start to see browned (not burned) patches in the bottom of the pot. This should take 1 to 3 minutes.
• Simmer gently, uncovered, for 2 to 3 hours: Stir the chili often. You want the volume to reduce a bit. (To be honest, just one hour of cook time is okay, but for optimal chili-ness, go long.)
• Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate overnight: Refrigerate in an air-tight covered container. (Note: you can eat the chili immediately if you want to.)

TRADITIONAL CINCINNATI CHILI

Steps:

• Pour water into a large cooking pot (5-qt size)
• Crumble raw ground beef into water.
• Add beans, onions, garlic, tomato paste, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and all of the spices, salt and peppers.
• Stir together and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer till meat is cooked and chili is thickened, from 45 minutes to an hour and a quarter (depending on how thick you like it).
• When chili is nearly done, prepare spaghetti (as much as you need - think in terms of how much you would want if this were spaghetti sauce).
• Place drained spaghetti on plates and ladle chili over it.
• Top with shredded cheddar.

ZESTY CINCINNATI CHILI

Steps:

• Cook ground beef in Dutch oven over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned (4 - 5 minutes). Drain off fat. Add onion and garlic; continue cooking until lightly browned (2 - 3 minutes).
• Stir in all remaining ingredients except spaghetti. Continue cooking until mixture comes to a boil (4 - 5 minutes). Reduce heat to low. With cover ajar, cook until flavors are blended and sauce thickens(about 60 minutes).
• Meanwhile, cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain. To serve: divide cooked spaghetti among 5 bowls; top each serving with 1 cup chili and your favorite toppings.
• Notes: The first time I made this I stored it in the refrigerator overnight to have more time to blend the flavors. It was great!
• When doubling the recipe, reduce the tomato sauce to 3 (15 oz each) cans and 1 (8 oz) can for a total of 53 oz (instead of 2 x 29 oz = 58 oz).
• In Cincinnati the true enthusiasts have their Chili 1 - 5 ways:.
• 1. Plain.
• 2."Two Way" - Spaghetti and Chili.
• 3."Three Way" - Chili, Spaghetti, and Cheddar Cheese.
• 4."Four Way" - Chili, Spaghetti, Cheddar Cheese, and Onions.
• 5."Five Way" - Chili, Spaghetti, Cheddar Cheese, Onions and Kidney Beans.

CINCINNATI CHILI I

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 6 minutes.
• Add beef, in batches if necessary, and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned.
• Add chili powder, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, cloves, bay leaf, chocolate, beef broth, tomato sauce, cider vinegar, and red pepper. Stir to mix well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
• It is the best if you now refrigerate overnight.
• Remove the bay leaf. Reheat gently over medium heat. Serve over hot, drained spaghetti. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.