Cincinnati Chili

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Pre-Notes

We stumbled upon this chili at the famous Skyline Chili Restaurants in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is one of our favorites, especially for Thomas!

Ingredients

1. 6 T olive oil
2. 3 sweet onions, finely chopped, plus more for topping
3. 3 lb ground beef chuck, or ground sirloin
4. 1/2 t salt
5. 1/2 t pepper
6. 6 garlic cloves, minced
7. 22 oz tomato sauce
8. 3 medium tomatoes, diced
9. 3/8 c apple cider vinegar
10. 3/8 c chili powder
11. 3 T paprika
12. 1 1/2 T ground cinnamon
13. 2 t ground cumin
14. 3/4 t ground allspice
15. 3/8 t ground cloves
16. 3/8 t cayenne pepper
17. 1 1/2 c water
18. 2-3 lbs spaghetti, cooked according to package
19. sharp Cheddar cheese, for topping
20. dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained for topping
21. sweet onions, finely chopped for topping
22. oyster crackers on the side (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add onions and cook, stirring, until translucent, about 7 minutes.
3. Transfer cooked onions to a plate.
4. Add ground beef to the pot, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes, drain.
5. Remove from the heat and return the cooked onions to the pot; stir in the garlic.
6. Combine the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, vinegar, chili powder, paprika, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, cloves and cayenne pepper in a bowl; add to the pot along with 1 1/2 c water and stir to combine.
7. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the chili is slightly thickened, about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Serving the chili

8. 3 Way: over spaghetti with a huge pile of sharp Cheddar cheese.
9. 4 Way: 3 Way with onions or beans
10. 5 Way: 3 Way with onions and beans
11. Oyster crackers on the side, if desired.

Picture of Recipe