Cincinnati Chili

In Cincinnati, lots of folks eat chili nearly every day...a slightly different way. Two-way (on spaghetti), three-way (add cheese), four-way (beans on top) or five-way (with onions). Any way you eat it, Cincinnati Chili is definitely not boring! What makes it special are its spices. Greek immigrants invented the dish around 1920 and added their signature touch – cinnamon, allspice and cloves. An authentic pot of this exotic concoction would need to simmer for about four hours. This adapted recipe cuts the cooking time to 20 minutes to fit a typical weeknight schedule! Its wonderful comfort food to me, and all the boybarians love it! :)



Cincinnati Chili
Recipe By Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross

8 ounces thin spaghetti
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 pound ground beef (93 percent lean)
1 large onion (for 1 cup chopped)
1 large green bell pepper (for 11/2 cups chopped)
2 small cans (8-ounces each) tomato sauce
2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
cayenne pepper to taste, optional
salt to taste
1 can (15 ounces) red kidney beans
1 cup already-shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1. Bring 2 1/2 quarts of unsalted water to a boil in a 4 1/2 -quart Dutch oven or soup pot. When the water reaches a rapid boil, add the spaghetti and cook until tender, 7 to 9 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil on high heat just until hot. Using your fingers, crumble the ground beef into the skillet. Peel and coarsely chop the onion, adding it to the skillet as you chop. Stir the meat occasionally. Rinse and seed the bell pepper and cut it into 1/4-inch dice. Add it to the skillet.
3. Cook, stirring frequently, until the ground beef is finely crumbled and completely browned, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium.
4. Add the tomato sauce, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, allspice and cloves. Stir to mix well. Reduce the heat to simmer, and continue to cook, stirring from time to time, until the pasta is done. Season with cayenne pepper and salt, to taste. Meanwhile, rinse and drain the beans, and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a paper towel and microwave 1 minute on high or until heated through.
5. To serve, divide the drained spaghetti among 4 serving bowls. Top each serving with chili, 1/2 cup kidney beans and 1/4 cup shredded cheese. For five-way chili, sprinkle raw diced onions on top. Serve at once. Serves 4