Crock Pot Cincinnatian Chili

An Ohio-favorite dish gets the crock pot treatment with this Skyline Chili copycat recipe. Eat like a Cincinnatian with a chili made with hints of cinnamon and chocolate (that's NOT sweet!) and serve it like the locals do using the authentic "ways:" two-way, three-way, four-way, or five-way.

For those that jazz it, City chili is a food phenomenon and a unforsaken local supply. The most recognizable identify is Line Chile, and if you're in River (and any of the surrounding country) you've no uncertainness passed their restaurants or seen their items at your local market store.

But as for the rest of the country, they have no idea what all this fuss is about over Cincinnati chili.

And, up until four years ago, I was one of those people. Growing up in Virginia and living in Phoenix, I never had the opportunity to cross paths with this food craze.

INGREDIENTS :

• 4 cup water
• 2 lb ground beef
• 15 oz tomato sauce
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tsp garlic minced
• 15 oz diced tomatoes (1 can) drained
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1 pinch salt to taste
• 1 pinch black pepper to taste
• 1 pinch ground cloves
• 2 medium onion chopped & divided
• cooked spaghetti for serving, optional
• shredded cheddar cheese for topping, optional
• cooked beans for topping, optional

INSTRUCTIONS :

1. In a skillet over medium heat, warm vegetable oil. Add 1/4 cup onions and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Remove skillet from heat and set nearby.
2. In a large crock pot, add water and ground beef, then stir until ground beef is broken up.
3. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, cocoa powder, cinnamon, cumin, and allspice, as well as the cooked onion and garlic. Season with salt, pepper, and cloves, to taste. Stir ingredients thoroughly until combined.
4. Cover crock pot and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours.
5. Serve Cincinnati chili immediately as desired. See the post above for the authentic "ways" that this chili can be served. If chili is watery, make a quick slurry by whisking together 1/4 cup of the chili and 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Mix slurry back in with the chili and test the thickness. If needed, repeat slurry step until desired consistency is reached.