Cincinnati Chili

When our children get ready to move out, they make sure to grab their pillows, any furniture not in use, and this recipe.

That says a lot.

I know how important a good pillow can be.

While the flavor is to die for, I personally love Cincinnati Chili for something else entirely.

The way it makes my house smell.

Cincinnati Chili is comfort food for the body, mind and soul. It is a miracle food. This has the ability to take the chill out of the air, the ache out of the bones, and the crazy out of the head. 

Okay, that may have been a bit over the top, but since "smell-o-vision" is still a ways away from being available to the general public, this is all I've got. 

Have I mentioned that this has chocolate in it? 

Maybe it wasn't a bit much after all...

Cincinnati Chili

1-1/2 Tb. EVOO

1 large onion, chopped

2-3 pounds ground beef

1/4 cup plus 2 Tb chili powder

1-1/2 t. ground cinnamon

1-1/2 t. ground cumin

1/4 t. ground allspice

1/4 t. ground cloves

1-1/2 bay leaf

1 oz. square unsweetened chocolate

4 cups beef broth

1-1/2 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce

3 Tb. apple cider vinegar

1/4 t. ground cayenne pepper

shredded cheddar cheese

Spaghetti noodles, cooked and drained

Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring frequently, until tender.

Add beef and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon until browned.

In a large pot, add chili powder, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, cloves, bay leaf, chocolate, beef broth, tomato sauce, vinegar, and cayenne pepper. Stir to mix well. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 1-1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. (I like to put this in the crockpot and let it simmer all day for maximum scent benefit.)

Remove the bay leaf. Serve over hot, drained spaghetti noodles. Top with cheese.

This recipe makes 12 good-sized servings. Don't panic~This is even better as leftovers!

Enjoy!