Fairly Authentic Cincinnati Chili

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cups water
• 15 ounces tomato sauce
• 12 ounces tomato paste
• 2 lbs ground chuck
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 4 bay leaves
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
• 2 lbs spaghetti
• 1 onion, chopped, for garnish
• 14 ounces red kidney beans, rinsed and drained, then nuked a bit prior to serving
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• oyster crackers, to taste

Directions

1. 1

   Saute the onion in the olive oil until translucent.

2. 2

   Add the water, tomato sauce and tomato paste and stir.

3. 3

   Add the beef WITHOUT BROWNING IT. Break it up and stir.

4. 4

   Add the rest of the ingredients up to and including the chocolate.

5. 5

   Simmer at least 1 hour, preferably 2 or 3 until spaghetti sauce consistency.

6. 6

   Boil spaghetti to al dente. And now the 'ways':.

7. 7

   One-way: Chili alone with some oyster crackers.

8. 8

   Two-ways: Chili on spaghetti.

9. 9

   Three-ways: Chili on spaghetti with cheese on top.

10. 10

    Four-ways: Chili on spaghetti with chopped onion, then cheese on top.

11. 11

    Five-ways: Chili on spaghetti with onions, kidney beans, then cheese on top.

12. 12

    Offer extra chili flakes to the hot-heads.