Thursday, February 9, 2012

Cincinnati Four Way Chili

We finally tried Cincinnati Chili the other night. Four way. Spaghetti, Chili, Cheese and Onions. I forgot to get the oyster crackers. I saw it on Food Jaunts, it looked so good and that was that, I had to make it. It's nothing like the chili I normally make, which is more like Texas Chili but I do use beans. Miss Picky likes them and when it comes to food if she's asking for something good for you, I'm throwing it in there. So much for authentic. Those real Texans who say beans don't belong in chili never had to feed my picky teenager. And I finally found something that went really well with whole wheat spaghetti. The chili. I needed to use up that last box. Whole wheat spaghetti just didn't go over well with marinara at my house. But it's perfect with Cincinnati 4-way Chili. Just perfect.

and leftovers are even better!




Cincinnati Style Chili

2 lbs ground extra lean ground beef (at least 95% lean)
2 onions, finely chopped
2 cups water
2 cups beef stock
1 15-oz can tomato sauce
4 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder 
1/2 teaspoon allspice
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
3 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 bay leaf (fish it out before serving)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
4 dashes Tabasco or similar sauce
2 teaspoons paprika

shredded cheddar cheese
chopped onions
red kidney beans
oyster crackers
spaghetti, cooked according to package directions (I used whole wheat and it was good with the chili!)

Bring the water and beef stock to a boil and add the ground beef. Stir until the beef is separated. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 2 to 3 hours or until thickened.

Serve over the spaghetti and top with cheese, kidney beans, onions and oyster crackers.



Joining 
 Beth at Beth Fish Reads for her fun Weekend Cooking Party. Every weekend. It's open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share! Go on over and see some fun posts.
 

43 comments:

  1. Sounds good and hearty for a cold weekend! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looking good! Making chili is one of those meals I want to try soon.
    Rita

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've never had chili on top of spaghetti before but I bet I would love it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great meal for an overcast cold day! I have never put cloves, bay leaf or vinegar in my chili, will have to try it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This sounds really good, I like all of the different items called for. I'd love to give it a try:@)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm surprised at some of the ingredients - cocoa, cinnamon, allspice. If I made that I couldn't call it chili. My family doesn't like me to mess with their traditional things. I'll think up another name.

    ReplyDelete
  7. great combination of ingredients. looks delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Cocoa in a chilli dish? wow...that's original and delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  9. We love Cincinnati chili. I first had it years ago when I used to travel to Cincinnati. I've recreated it a couple of times. This reminds me I need to again sometime soon.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I just LOVE spaghetti with chili. I want some right now! :) Yours looks totally perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Looks so good! I've never heard of eating it over spaghetti! Love the idea!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Had never heard of this. Looks good for this 20 degree weather!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh, I'm definitely going to try this, Carol. I really love whole wheat pasta, because that nutty flavor is wonderful. With anything! Love the idea of chili over it....never have seen that before.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I used to live near a restaurant that sold a vegetarian version of this chili, but they closed before I had a chance to try it. I was so upset! Maybe I'll figure out a way to adapt your recipe...

    ReplyDelete
  15. I never had spaghetti with chili. The whole wheat pasta didn't go over well here either.
    Your chili looks excellent. I didn't know Texas chili has no beans, that's my kind. M puts it in, and I have to fish them out!
    Great shot, Carol.
    Snow and ice is coming they say.. Stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Carol I'm so glad you liked it! Lol, I always worry that people will try a recipe from my site and not be a fan :)

    You actually made a 5-way (by using both beans and onions) but either way yours looks excellent! Your picture is making me crave a coney.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have to say any which way, we really loved it! The basic chili part was excellent. Thanks again!

      Delete
  17. Looks yummy, Carol! I see some ingredients there that I don't normally use, so I will have to try this one. And...sorry, Texas, but chili without beans just isn't chili to me! lol Happy weekend!...hugs...Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  18. Whoa! You don't brown the beef first? I have never done that before. Then again, I've never tried Cincinnati Chili either. It looks fantastic, Carol. Like all of the goodness of a chili cheese dog over spaghetti instead of hot dogs. I am loving that. BTW, I was raised by a Texan and ALWAYS put beans in my chili....pinto, kidney, black beans...whatever I have on hand and sometimes all of the above. It works for us!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love that this chili is served over spaghetti! My husband stubbornly insists it be served in a bowl with a roll on the side. I like it with rice on the side or over roasted/baked potatoes. Never tried spaghetti but I sure am going to give it a try!

    ReplyDelete
  20. the first time I saw that, with the spaghetti, I thought it was crazy. but now, really, I think it sounds yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  21. My husband loves his chili over pasta. I like it over rice. We alternate. This Cincinnati Four-Way looks perfect for a winter's night.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Love chili! your recipe looks and sounds delicious - sounds like a winner to me!
    Mary x

    ReplyDelete
  23. Mmmm, great idea -- we usually have chili over rice, but will have to try spaghetti next time.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I've never had Cincinnati Chili. I like beans in my chili and I'm not sure about the spaghetti. You have given me something to think about.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Cincinnati Chili recipes always look so strange to me. Guess I'll never get used to seeing chili on top of spaghetti, lol!

    ReplyDelete
  26. We love chili and had to try this...the decision was split...half the family loved it, and half (me included) wanted chips with it instead. It is however always good to have an open mind and try new things!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I've never had Cincinnati chili but when I saw the post on Food Jaunts I was ready to try it too! I think I'd love the four way style too (and the beans).

    ReplyDelete
  28. I've had Cincinnati chili (in Cincinnati). We've made a number of variations, too. We almost always serve chili on pasta, whether it has the Cincinnati spices or not. We call it chili mac.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I have always thought that chili should have beans.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I think chili should have beans :)
    The inclusion of cocoa and spices sounds interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  31. This is an interesting mix and match! I have spaghetti for this week's menu, and I will incorporate the chile. Unsweetened cocoa, this is new!

    You always find great dishes!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Oooh, I love chili and have never once thought to put it over pasta! Nice creation! As a side note, I noticed you use super lean beef (I applaud you for this...no reason to leave in excess fat) - have you tried doing a turkey chili? Diestel Turkey Ranch has free range organic turkey products (I use their ground turkey in chili all the time) - super low in fat and great quality product!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good idea on the turkey. I made a different recipe with turkey that the family all enjoyed!

      Delete
  33. This looks like a really rich chili. I like the idea of adding cocoa and the other spices. I'll have to try for sure but it looks like it would be very rich.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was richer, more robust than the regular chili I usually do, the cocoa gave it a real deep flavor, not a chocolate flavor but it brought out the spices really nicely.

      Delete
  34. My dear they say that everything is allowed in war and love but I would add in feeding our picky young ones too! This chili looks divine and combined with whole wheat pasta is even better!

    ReplyDelete
  35. How many ways can I say, "YUM!"?! This looks so comforting, hearty and fabulous! :) Happy Valentine's Day Carol!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Carol, I love this one. Thanks for linking it in to Food on Friday. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thanks for posting. Feel sorry for those who've never tried the recipe. A great recipe the family really enjoys even if it doesn't meet everyone's definition of Chili.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. They are fun to read and very much appreciated! Sorry for comment moderation, the spam has been overwhelming lately.

Back to top