This is a very different style of chili from the traditional southwest style chili, but personally I think it is waaay better. I know that there are chili purists out there, but seriously, give this stuff a try and you won't be disappointed. Traditionally this is made only with kidney beans, but I like to add a variety of beans to give it a little more flavor. And yes, that is spaghetti under the chili. That's how they serve it at Skyline Chili (famous place that serves this style of chili) in Cincinnati. Trust me...yummm!
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Signing UpStep 1: Ingredients
What you will need...This can be a bit pricey the first time only because spices are not cheap! Once you have everything though, you will have plenty of leftover spices for other batches!
-2 lbs lean ground beef
-4 beef boullion cubes
-4 cups water
-1/4 to 1/3 cup chili powder (to taste)
-1 tablespoon garlic powder (I tried this once with fresh garlic and it wasn't as good)
-1 teaspoon ground cumin
-1 to 1 1/2 teaspoon red pepper (depending on how spicy you like it. 1 teaspoon will make a milder chili, but it will still have a bit of kick)
-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
-1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
-1 bay leaf
-1/2 square unsweetened baker's chocolate (yes, chocolate in chili...delicious)
-3 tablespoons white vinegar
-4 cans of beans, rinsed and drained ( I like to use 2 cans of dark red kidney beans, one can of black beans, and one can of white beans)
-1 15 oz. can tomato sauce (just use plain old tomato sauce from a can. Do not use prepared spaghetti sauce as it will affect the ratios of spices and flavors)
-1 large brown/yellow onion (I have seen these called both brown or yellow, just don't use white onion. Red onion is good too, but it gives the chili a different flavor.)
-1-2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil (for cooking the onion)
-One package Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese (not in the picture...oops)
-one package of spaghetti or angel hair (optional, but if you want the authentic Cincinnati chili experience, this is how you do it. Either that or chili dogs)
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Thanks again!
Yes, I'm sure about the sour cream [ 3-way: spaghetti/chili/cheese 4-way: add either beans or diced onions 5-way: add both beans and diced onions]
For all who are curious, I've included a link to Skyline's menu at the end of my comments. I must say I'm really disappointed to see they've added things like burritos, wraps, and baked potatoes... I know they're trying to keep up with the trends but it seems like a dilution of the original concept. Regardless, I LOVE this recipe and love that you posted the link in Food Network's Cinti chili recipe cuz that's how I found you!!
http://www.skylinechili.com/menu.pdf
I have a couple of comments about the recipe/instructions... You can't sense the onions in Skyline (no onion in the texture) so I'd suggest mincing them. While I love sour cream on traditional chili, it is NEVER used on Skyline. And, mild cheddar is always used, not sharp. I've tried sharp on my canned Skyline and it changes and hides some of the flavors. Also the picture showed coarsely shredded cheese, I recommend finely shredded mild cheddar and if you have a rotary grater by Zyliss or a roto slicer-shredder attachment for your Kitchen-Aid mixer that's even better (right on the mark for what's served at Skyline Chili ~ and mounds of it!). If you decide to make chili dogs try putting a little mustard on the bun and consider slicing your hot dog lengthwise and using only half (I don't know where Skyline gets their skinny hot dogs but the smaller dog allows for more of the chili flavor to be tasted). Please don't consider me knit-picky, I'm just a desparate Skyline fanatic hoping to find a great substitute while living on the West coast :-)
Very easy recipe to follow, cooks up nicely and makes the house smell great while doing so.
Adding this to my list of repeat recipes.
What do you mean by following?
1 can tomato sauce
Do you actually mean tomato puree or ketchup or cooked chopped tomatoes?
1 to 1 1/2 teaspoon red pepper
Do you mean red pepper or cayenne pepper or paprika powder.
Also, for the red pepper, just use ground red pepper (which I believe is Cayenne pepper), definitely NOT paprika.
Hope that clears it up for you! : )
-1 tablespoon garlic powder (I tried this once with fresh garlic and it wasn't as good)
Garlic powder, despite the misleading name, usually has some salt incorporated. You've evolved to like salt (since it was rare while we were evolving).
-1/2 square unsweetened baker's chocolate (yes, chocolate in chili...delicious)
Yowza! You're making a mole chili. Two great tastes that can't help but taste great together. I will have to make this. I think even my wife will like it :-)And just something I think you should add--when making a chili dog, put a bit of mustard on the hot dog.
dis is awesome