Cincinnati Fusion Chili Extravaganza
This unique, multi-layered dish, originating in Cincinnati, combines traditional chili with unique Mediterranean-inspired spices, yielding a dish known for its distinctive flavor profile. Created in 1922 by a Greek immigrant wishing to infuse American comfort food with the rich spices of his homeland, this chili is versatile and can be tailored to meet your flavor preference: from the classic one-way with just chili, to the indulgent five-way with spaghetti, cheese, onions, and beans. Enrich your meal experience with this culinary adventure blending cultures and flavors.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
25
Ingredients
Ingredients
chili powder
1 tablespoon
ground cumin
2 teaspoons
ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons
ground coriander
1 teaspoon
sweet paprika
1 teaspoon
cayenne
1/4 teaspoon
ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon
freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon
mustard seeds
1/4 teaspoon
canola oil
1 tablespoon
ground beef
2 lbs
onion
1 medium (finely chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
tomato sauce
2 1/2 cups
water
1 1/2 cups
commercial barbecue sauce
1/2 cup ((a sweet, nonsmoky variety))
ketchup
2 tablespoons
packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon
red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon
unsweetened chocolate square
1 ounce
bay leaves
2
thick spaghetti
1 lb (cooked)
shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups
onion
1 cup (finely chopped)
kidney beans
16 ounce can (drained and warmed)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, combine chili powder, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, ground coriander, sweet paprika, cayenne, ground cloves, freshly grated nutmeg, and mustard seeds to form a spice mix. Set aside.
2
Heat canola oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon.
3
Reduce heat to medium, add finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Sauté for about 1 minute to release the flavors.
4
Stir in the prepared spice mix and allow it to meld with the beef mixture for 1 minute.
5
Pour in the tomato sauce, water, sweet barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, and unsweetened chocolate square. Add bay leaves.
6
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer uncovered for about 1 hour, stirring now and then to prevent sticking. The chili should transform into a rich, thick sauce.
7
Once cooked, remove bay leaves.
8
For serving five-way chili, distribute cooked spaghetti evenly among 8 serving bowls.
9
Ladle the prepared chili over the spaghetti.
10
Top each bowl with shredded cheddar cheese, finely chopped onion, and warmed kidney beans.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cincinnati Fusion Chili Extravaganza?
It is a multi-layered dish originating in Cincinnati that combines traditional chili with Mediterranean-inspired spices like cinnamon and cloves.
Who created the original version of this chili?
The dish was created in 1922 by a Greek immigrant who wanted to blend American comfort food with the rich spices of his homeland.
What are the different ways to serve Cincinnati chili?
It can be served as a classic one-way with just chili, or up to a five-way which includes spaghetti, cheese, onions, and beans.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to provide 8 servings.
What Mediterranean spices are used in the spice mix?
The spice mix includes chili powder, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, ground coriander, sweet paprika, cayenne, ground cloves, freshly grated nutmeg, and mustard seeds.
How is the ground beef prepared for this recipe?
The ground beef is browned in canola oil over medium-high heat and broken into small crumbles with a wooden spoon.
What is the secret ingredient that adds richness to the sauce?
A one-ounce square of unsweetened chocolate is added to the mixture to create a rich, complex flavor.
How long does the chili need to simmer?
The chili should simmer uncovered for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally until it transforms into a rich, thick sauce.
What kind of pasta is traditionally used for serving?
Thick spaghetti is the traditional pasta choice for serving Cincinnati-style chili.
What are the specific toppings for a 'five-way' chili bowl?
A five-way bowl is topped with shredded cheddar cheese, finely chopped onion, and warmed kidney beans over the chili and spaghetti.
Does this recipe use garlic and onions?
Yes, it uses one medium finely chopped onion and two minced garlic cloves in the base, plus additional onion for topping.
What liquids form the base of the chili sauce?
The liquid base consists of 2.5 cups of tomato sauce, 1.5 cups of water, barbecue sauce, and ketchup.
What type of barbecue sauce is recommended?
The recipe suggests a commercial sweet, non-smoky variety of barbecue sauce.
How much ground beef is required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 2 lbs of ground beef.
Are there any sweeteners added to the chili?
Yes, the recipe uses 1 tablespoon of packed brown sugar along with the sweetness from the barbecue sauce and ketchup.
What should I do with the bay leaves after cooking?
Once the cooking process is finished and the chili has simmered, the bay leaves should be removed before serving.
What type of vinegar is used in this recipe?
One tablespoon of red wine vinegar is used to add a touch of acidity.
How much cheddar cheese is used for the toppings?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese for topping the bowls.
Do I need to cook the kidney beans?
You should use a 16-ounce can of kidney beans that have been drained and warmed before adding them as a topping.
What oil is used to brown the beef?
Canola oil is used for its neutral flavor and high smoke point.
How is the spice mix added to the pot?
The spice mix is stirred into the beef, onion, and garlic mixture and allowed to meld for about 1 minute before adding the liquids.
Is the chili supposed to be thick or watery?
By simmering it uncovered for an hour, the chili should transform into a rich, thick sauce.
How much spaghetti is needed for 8 people?
The recipe recommends 1 lb of thick spaghetti, which is cooked and then distributed among the bowls.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to combine all the dry spices in a small bowl to create a uniform spice mix.
Is there any heat or spice level in this chili?
It contains 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne and 1 tablespoon of chili powder, providing a mild heat that balances the sweet and savory notes.
Can I customize the servings?
Yes, the recipe description notes that it can be tailored to meet your flavor preference from one-way to five-way.
What type of chocolate is used?
An unsweetened chocolate square (1 ounce) is used to ensure the richness comes from cocoa without adding extra sugar.
How much tomato sauce do I need?
The recipe calls for 2 1/2 cups of tomato sauce.
Do I need to cover the pot while simmering?
No, you should simmer it uncovered to allow the sauce to thicken properly.
What is the historical origin of the dish?
It originated in Cincinnati in 1922, blending American and Greek culinary traditions.