Lyons Family Cookbook

Cincinnati Chili

--- CHILI ---

2

tsp

table salt or more to taste

1 1/2

lbs

ground beef chuck

2

Tbs

vegetable oil

2

medium onions , chopped fine (about 2 cups)

2

medium cloves garlic , minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)

2

Tbs

chili powder

2

tsp

dried oregano

2

tsp

cocoa

1 1/2

tsp

ground cinnamon

1/2

tsp

cayenne pepper

1/2

tsp

ground allspice

1/4

tsp

ground black pepper

2

cups

low-sodium chicken broth

2

cups

water

2

Tbs

cider vinegar

2

tsp

dark brown sugar

2

cups

tomato sauce (recommend Muir Glen Organic)

hot pepper sauce

1/2

lb

spaghetti, cooked, drained (Deboles Jerusalem Artichoke)

1

can

(15 oz) can pinto beans, drained, rinsed

--- ACCOMPANIMENTS ---

12

oz

sharp cheddar cheese , shredded

1

medium white onion, chopped fine (about 1 cup)

1

FOR THE CHILI: Bring 2 quarts of water and 1 teaspoon of the salt to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the ground chuck, stirring vigorously to separate the meat into individual strands. As soon as the foam from the meat rises to the top (this takes about 30 seconds) and before the water returns to a boil, drain the meat into a strainer and set it aside.

2

Rinse and dry the empty saucepan. Set the pan over medium heat and add the oil. When the oil is warm, add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are soft and browned around the edges, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the chili powder, oregano, cocoa, cinnamon, cayenne, allspice, black pepper, and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the broth, water, vinegar, sugar, and tomato sauce, scraping the pan bottom to remove any browned bits.

3

Add the blanched ground beef and increase the heat to high. As soon as the liquid boils, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chili is deep red and has thickened slightly, about 1 hour. Adjust the seasonings, adding salt and hot pepper sauce to taste. (The chili can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat before serving.)

4

Cook spaghetti according to package directions.

5

TO SERVE: Add the spaghetti and pinto beans to the chili. Best if left covered for 1 hour before serving, or better yet, make the chili the day before. This allows the sauce to penetrate the spaghetti and thicken. Serve in bowls and then top with the cheese and onion.

Choose a relatively plain tomato sauce-nothing too spicy or herbaceous. This Chile recipe makes wonderful chili hot dogs since the addition of spaghetti to the chili makes it the perfect consistency without being too soupy on a hot dog. The chili can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or can be frozen in individual servings for a quick meal.

Source

Source: Cooks Illustrated