Saturday, January 29, 2011

3-Way, My Way Chili

I am very particular about my chili and there are few I deem good enough to eat. In a meat verses beans chili kind of world, I'm all about the meat. This version is my take on the Cinncinatti chili that has been popularized by the famous Skyline chili. I tried to stay true to the familiar ingredients found in this chili. However, I tweaked it ever so slightly to make it my own. The "3-Way" comes from one  of the various ways this chili is ordered up North. "3-Way" meaning chili, spaghetti, and cheese. If you have to have your beans (4-Way), feel free to toss them in. I'll just look the other way. 



3-Way, My Way Chili

2lbs ground chuck or sirloin (chuck will make it more truckstop kind of greasy)
1 large onion, roughly chopped
4-5 garlic cloves, diced
2 tbsp chili powder
1-2 tsp cayenne (depends how hot you like it)
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp paprika
1tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp cumin
1/2 tsp cloves
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp organic tomato paste
1 15 oz can organic tomato sauce
1 14.5 oz can organic diced tomatoes
3 cups organic beef broth
1 1/2 tbsp worchestershire sauce
1 1/2 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp organic ketchup
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb spaghetti ( I prefer wheat)
1 lb sharp cheddar cheese
*Optional Ingredients: Kidney beans, diced onion, jalapenos, sour cream*

In a food processor combine ground chuck, onion, and garlic. Pulse until smooth, almost the consistency of a thick paste. *This will make the end result of your meat very flaky rather than clumpy*

Heat a large pot on medium and add your olive oil. Once heated, add your meat mixture. Add your spices and mix thoroughly. Let your mixture sweat for about 5 minutes, but do not let the meat brown.

Pour in your tomato sauce, beef broth, and diced tomatoes. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Last, add the worchestershire, vinegar and ketchup. Continue to cook your chili for an hour or until thickened.

Serve as follows, depending on your preference:

3-Way - Chili, spaghetti, cheese
4-Way - Chili, spaghetti, cheese, kidney beans or onions
5-Way - Chili, spaghetti, cheese, kidney beans, and onions
Or
My Way - Chili, spaghetti, cheese, sour cream, and jalapenos!

2 comments:

  1. Chili and spaghetti...who knew?

    Yet another tasty update on an old favorite of ourse.

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  2. looks yummy, chad would like it. you'll have to make it for my ohio hubby sometime. :)

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