How to make Cincinnati Chili

Cincinnati rivals Texas when it comes to chili. The streets of this Midwestern city are paved with chili houses. Cincinnatians prepare and spice chili a bit differently, then pour it over spaghetti. Truly a hearty meal, no matter how you spice it. There are 4 officially recognized variations of Cincinnati chili. Put some water on for pasta after stirring your favorite chili recipe together. Here's a look at how to make Cincinnati chili.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 15-oz. can tomato sauce
• 6-oz. can tomato paste
• 2 cups water
• 1 large onion
• 1 minced garlic clove
• ½ tsp. chili powder
• ½ tsp. red cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp. black pepper
• 2 tsp. cider vinegar
• 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. allspice
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• ¼ tsp. ground cloves
• 2 tbs. unsweetened cocoa
• 1 lb. spaghetti
• 8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
• 15-oz. can kidney beans
• Oyster crackers

1. Choose your chili. The chili you use for this ultimately satisfying dish is up to you. A typical Cincy recipe turns out more watery than a soup chili. The factor that designates Cincinnati chili is serving it over spaghetti with specific toppings. Here's an example of the chili Cincinnatians would use: Dice 2 large onion slices and place in skillet. Dice the rest of the onion and refrigerate until serving. Chop ground beef finely and lightly cook in skillet with onion. Drain and pour into a 6-qt. saucepan. Add water, tomato sauce, tomato past , spices, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and cocoa. Drain fluid from kidney bean can into the pot and bring to a boil. Simmer for 2 hours. Refrigerate kidney beans until serving. Boil pasta to have ready with chili.

2. Make 2-way Cincinnati chili. Pour your favorite chili over spaghetti.

3. Make 3-way Cincinnati Chili. After the chili goes over the spaghetti, top it with shredded cheddar cheese.

4. Make 4-way Cincinnati chili. Sprinkle diced onion over the shredded cheese that’s on the chili (over the spaghetti).

5. Make 5-way Cincinnati chili. Lay kidney beans over the onions that are on the cheese, over the chili that’s on the spaghetti. Since the chili itself is a little watery, drop some oyster crackers over the whole concoction. That’s how to make Cincinnati chili.

Tips & Warnings

• Another characteristic of serving Cincinnati chili is to heap toppings to ridiculous proportions. Naturally, the ingredients can be combined to any desired specification, however the official order is listed by designation above.

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[katecrittendon]

on 3/9/2009 Interesting. I lived in Cincy for several years and make this dish too. My recipe relies more on chili powder and doesn't have some of the spices you include. I do seem to remember once having a recipe that included the cocoa. You've inspired me to tinker with my recipe. Thanks!