• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • About Us
    • FAQ
  • Contact us
  • Guest Content
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Elevenses
  • Business
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Property
  • JOBS
  • All
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Sport
    • Tech/Auto
    • Lifestyle
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Set For Life
      • Thunderball
      • EuroMillions
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
NEWSLETTER
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home Food and Drink Recipes

Cincinnati Chili: An American classic with Mediterranean origins

Typically associated with Greek and Macedonian immigrants, Cincinnati chili is a regional favourite, typically served with spaghetti.

Jon Hatchman by Jon Hatchman
2022-02-11 14:03
in Recipes
Cincinnati chili recipe Superbowl recipe Skyline chili

Photo: Jerry Huddleston / Flickr

FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmailWhatsapp

Like the Philly cheesesteak, Louisiana gumbo and apple pie, Cincinnati chili is an iconic American dish often overlooked in favour of the “more traditional” Tex-Mex variant. Cincinnati chili should not be confused with chili con carne, however. While the chili popular in Texas has Mexican roots, Cincinnati chili actually has Mediterranean origins, with closer resemblance to Greek pasta sauces.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Typically associated with Greek and Macedonian immigrants, Cincinnati chili is believed to have been invented by brothers Tom and John Kiradjieff, who served a Mediterranean stew as a topping for hot dogs, which they called “coneys”, in 1922. The coneys were served next to the Empress burlesque theatre, after which their business was named. At Empress, the stew was eventually served on a bed of spaghetti – as is most common nowadays – before the addition of grated cheese was introduced. To make ordering more efficient, a “way” system was also created, which has since been copied by countless restaurant proprietors serving Cincinnati chili. Based on a series of ingredients, the number before the “way” of chili corresponds to ingredients included in the order, typically including a mixture of Cincinnati chili, spaghetti, Cheddar cheese, diced onions, and kidney beans.

With an estimated 250 independent and chain vendors specialising in Cincinnati chili in locations such as Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Florida, the Middle East, and beyond, Skyline Chili and Gold Star Chili are, by far, the most popular today, with 130 and 89 locations, respectively. But while Cincinnati is arguably the region’s best loved dish, it has also been widely criticised, often described as a poor example of chili, from those more familiar with chili con carne. In 2013, Deadspin even went so far as to call it “horrifying diarrhea sludge”.

Cincinnatians are often quick to defend the regional favourite, however. In the lead up to the Super Bowl on Sunday (13th February 2022), of which the Cincinnati Bengals have made for the first time since the 1988 season, fans have made headlines by even going so far as ‘shotgunning’ Skyline chili straight from the tin.

https://twitter.com/UCBarstool/status/1488287157596925956

More of a meat sauce, Cincinnati chili generally features minced beef boiled in water or stock, then combined with tomato and various seasonings, which typically include cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, cumin, and bay leaves. Some recipes also use unsweetened dark chocolate to amplify the dish’s richness. A mountain of Cheddar cheese is also a customary topping, as are onions and beans. An ideal Superbowl recipe to prepare this weekend, whether you’re rooting for the Bengals or not.

Cincinnati chili recipe Superbowl recipe Skyline chili

Cincinnati Chili

Jon Hatchman
Typically associated with Greek and Macedonian immigrants, Cincinnati chili is a regional favourite, typically served with spaghetti, cheese, onions, and kidney beans.
3 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kg minced beef
  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 1 stick celery finely chopped
  • ½ green or red pepper finely chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic peeled and crushed or finely chopped
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp mustard powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 5 whole cloves or 1 tsp ground
  • 5 whole allspice berries or 1 tsp ground
  • 1/8 tsp grated nutmeg
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
  • 1 litre beef stock
  • 50 g dark chocolate
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Olive oil

To serve

  • Cooked spaghetti
  • Grated Cheddar
  • 1 white onion diced
  • Kidney beans

Instructions
 

  • Heat a splash of olive oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan until shimmering then add the chopped onion, celery and pepper to the pan. Cook over medium heat for around 5-10 minutes until everything is soft and fragrant.
  • Add the garlic, cayenne pepper, cumin, oregano, mustard powder, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg and bay leaves to the pan. Continue to cook, stirring often, for another minute or two.
  • Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan alongside the chocolate, beef stock, and the Worcestershire sauce and stir to combine.
  • Season the beef with salt and pepper, then crumble into the pan, using the back of a wooden spoon to break up the meat as you stir.
  • Bring to the boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Slowly cook for an hour or two (or longer if you prefer), until the sauce reduces and the beef becomes soft. Add more water if necessary.
  • Taste for seasoning and add more salt if necessary, then serve over cooked spaghetti, topped with diced white onion, kidney beans, and a mountainous heap of grated Cheddar.
Keyword Chili, Chilli, Cincinnati Chili, Spaghetti

Related: How to make the perfect burger

RelatedPosts

How To Make: Coronation Chicken for the King’s Coronation

How To Make: Tiramisu

How To Make: Club Sandwich

How To Make: Chicken Tinga

Tags: Food RecipesRecipe

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

SUPPORT

We do not charge or put articles behind a paywall. If you can, please show your appreciation for our free content by donating whatever you think is fair to help keep TLE growing and support real, independent, investigative journalism.

DONATE & SUPPORT

Contact

Editorial enquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Commercial enquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Address

The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE
Company number 09221879
International House,
24 Holborn Viaduct,
London EC1A 2BN,
United Kingdom

© The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE thelondoneconomic.com - All Rights Reserved. Privacy

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Lottery Results
    • Lotto
    • Set For Life
    • Thunderball
    • EuroMillions
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • JOBS
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE thelondoneconomic.com - All Rights Reserved. Privacy

← Mandelson warns Labour left: back Starmer or get lost ← ‘Divided’ govt is one of ‘climate delay’ leaving country ‘vulnerable’, Ed Miliband warns
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Lottery Results
    • Lotto
    • Set For Life
    • Thunderball
    • EuroMillions
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • JOBS
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE thelondoneconomic.com - All Rights Reserved. Privacy

-->