Cincinnatti Style Chili Recipe

Cincinnatti Style Chili Notes

I first tried this dish in Chicago many years ago at a Cincy Chili franchise. Although it never really caught on here, I was hooked. After finding a recipe for it in a local paper and experimenting with the seasonings, I came up with a version that was to my liking. It is unlike Texas red chili in being mild and mellow with complex overtones from the many spices added to it.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef, turkey, pork and/or venison
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup bacon bits, or 2 strips bacon, fried to crisp and crumbled
• 1 1/2 cups onion, chopped
• 1 cup green or red bell pepper, chopped (optional)
• 1 (15 ounce) can chopped tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 4 ounces tomato paste
• 4 sun-dried tomatoes, minced or ground (optional)
• 3-4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 Tablespoons chili powder, mild or hot (see note)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1/4 cup wine or cider vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons honey or sugar, to taste
• pinch crushed red pepper, to taste
• 1 pound dry pasta
• Optional condiments:
• cooked kidney beans, minced onions, grated jack or cheddar cheese

Serves / Yields

6 - 8 servings

Preparation Instructions

Brown the meat, drain excess fat and set aside. Brown the onion and pepper in oil, until onion is transparent, then cool. Mix the rest of the ingredients (up to the pasta) and bring to a simmer. After 10 minutes, add the cooked meat, onions and pepper, then simmer for 30 minutes more.

Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain.

Serve the chili over the pasta and garnish with the other condiments as desired.

Helpful Hints

The meat may be cooked ahead of time, then refrigerated or even frozen before use.

If spicy chili powder is used, the red pepper is not necessary. This is supposed to be a fairly mellow dish (not fiery hot).

Whole cumin is preferable. Toast lightly first, then grind in a mortar or coffee/spice grinder. For that matter, use all whole spices when possible and grind just before using.

This recipe is best when prepared a day in advance, which allows the complex flavors to blend better.

Credit

This recipe was provided by Steve Kramer from Des Plaines.

Cuisines, Courses and Ingredients

• American, Beef, Game, Main Dish, Pork, Poultry, Soup

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