Famous Cincinnati Chili

2 lb. ground beef
2 cups water
1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
1 lg. onion, chopped
2 tbsp. chili powder
2 cloves (lg. each) garlic, minced
1-1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 red pepper, cracked (I use dried red pepper flakes, sparingly)
2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
5 whole allspice
5 whole cloves
1 bay leaf
1 can (15 oz.) kidney beans
1 onion, chopped (as desired)
Cheddar cheese, grated (as desired)
Thin spaghetti, cooked

Directions:

Brown ground beef, then put in crock pot with water, tomato paste, onion, chili powder, garlic, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, red pepper flakes, cocoa powder, worcestershire sauce, and cheesecloth bag containing whole allspice and cloves. Cook 8 hours on low. Add cooked beans and cook on high for 20-30 minutes. Serve over thin spaghetti and top with chopped onions and cheese.

Comments from Ronnie Zwick :

This chili can also be used for chili dogs.

User Reviews:

I moved to Los Angeles in 1986 and for 16 years I tried in vain to reproduce my beloved Cincinnatti Chili. This recipe finally gave me that taste I remember so well. Thanks!

I substituted the meat with an equal amount of vegetarian imitation ground round, and it's just as tasty. So now you can even get your vegan friends to try Cincinnati Chili...oh, and they might insist you use tofu cheese or some such nonsense.

Submitted by Clay Dale on October 31, 2001

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