Cincinnati Chili

Since the question of the week is Cincinnati Chili, I thought I'd post a couple of pics of this regional culinary delight:


NAKED CINCINNATI CHILI:


COVERED-UP (5-WAY: SPAGHETTI, CHILI, BEANS, ONIONS, CHEESE)

The picture just proves that Cincinnati Chili is so bad that it must be buried under tons of other foods in order to be eaten.

Uhm, no.

By the same "logic", any pizzeria in the world that covers their dough and sauce with anything else (cheese, toppings, etc) must have bad sauce and/or dough.

So no, sorry, come back and play again soon!

C'mon, Cincinnati chili is one of America's great regional dishes. The problem comes when newcomers make the same mistake we did as callow youths and expect it to be a twist on the kind of chili everyone in the country normally eats. Big mistake. Ignore the word chili and just think of it as a beautifully eccentric regional specialty.

quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Bilmes & Sue Boyle

C'mon, Cincinnati chili is one of America's great regional dishes. The problem comes when newcomers make the same mistake we did as callow youths and expect it to be a twist on the kind of chili everyone in the country normally eats. Big mistake. Ignore the word chili and just think of it as a beautifully eccentric regional specialty.

That's the ticket! "Ignore the word chili" and, after eating it, you can go forth without wondering if you hate certain kinds of chili. pb

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

Uhm, no.

By the same "logic", any pizzeria in the world that covers their dough and sauce with anything else (cheese, toppings, etc) must have bad sauce and/or dough.

So no, sorry, come back and play again soon!

WOW!

I actually agree with TJ on this one!

quote:

Originally posted by porkbeaks
"Ignore the word chili" and, after eating it, you can go forth without wondering if you hate certain kinds of chili.

Or, if you happen to be more open minded and accepting of "regionally different cuisine" (which btw, is what this site is at it's core all about) than certain posters here, you might well go forth finding you LIKE an additional kind of chili.

I always find it more than a bit odd when a poster here, and especially a regular poster who one might normally think accepts or understands the premise of this website, not only can't find it in him/herself to at least tolerate a regional difference, but goes on to belittle or denigrate such a difference. Makes you wonder why such a person even participates in this website - which at it's heart is all about celebrating regional differences.

Ah well, we are all free to post, no matter how much or little sense we make.

As I've never had any Cincinnati chili, I am sure I would most likely top it the same way as I would top our Texas chili or even canned (Wolf Brand) chili for that matter. My personal toppings would always include, plenty of (green,and/or white) onions, shredded cheddar and hot sauce.

I guess Cincinnati chili over spaghetti must be the American version of the Italian, "beef bolognese".

Meee-frickin'-yow, y'all!

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

Uhm, no.

By the same "logic", any pizzeria in the world that covers their dough and sauce with anything else (cheese, toppings, etc) must have bad sauce and/or dough.

So no, sorry, come back and play again soon!

WOW!

I actually agree with TJ on this one!

Hey, I agree with him, too.

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

quote:

Originally posted by porkbeaks
"Ignore the word chili" and, after eating it, you can go forth without wondering if you hate certain kinds of chili.

Or, if you happen to be more open minded and accepting of "regionally different cuisine" (which btw, is what this site is at it's core all about) than certain posters here, you might well go forth finding you LIKE an additional kind of chili.

I always find it more than a bit odd when a poster here, and especially a regular poster who one might normally think accepts or understands the premise of this website, not only can't find it in him/herself to at least tolerate a regional difference, but goes on to belittle or denigrate such a difference. Makes you wonder why such a person even participates in this website - which at it's heart is all about celebrating regional differences.

Ah well, we are all free to post, no matter how much or little sense we make.

I'm with you all the way on this one.

I'll chime in with not letting the words get in the way of a great dish! Pasta sauce, a round flat pizza shaped thingy, a mild sausage in a bun, whatever helps you enjoy something good.
Joe

I'll add my agreement. Actually looks pretty good...The pizza analogy is a superb one...and can be used for any add ons on any food....you're creating a new taste.....so what. It gets my vote.I'll try one!!!...or two...or...

quote:

Originally posted by X1

Meee-frickin'-yow, y'all!

Thank you for your well thought-out and topical contribution to the subject at hand

I do not like Cincinnati chili. I do not think that means that I do not appreciate regional differences. I tried it a few times. I generally, do not like the tastes of cinnamon or alspice (this is a big one for me) in entree foods. I do not begrudge anyone else this type of chili.

I find it most objectionable on this site when people reject a dish then say they have never and would never try it so no one else should like it. There are two problems with that stance and it happen a lot on the board. I have a personal preference, they have food bigotries. I think preferences do not go against roadfood ideals.

Well said Dive! But, don't give up on anything untill the 11th. try.
Joe

11 times is a little indecisive, but I am going throug a no foods barred time. I figured there are enough foods that I have recently decided that I like after thinking I did not like them for years based on childhood experiences. It's time to reassess. Find out how much my tastes have changed. I'm sure they have. Good thing I didn't know about sushi as a kid. No way I would have let that on my plate.

I've never had it but I'd sure try it. There's lots of regional foods that folks will scoff at even though they have never them. At least I ate some scrapple before I realized I did not like it. Then I reserve the right to opine.

quote:

Originally posted by twinwillow

As I've never had any Cincinnati chili, I am sure I would most likely top it the same way as I would top our Texas chili or even canned (Wolf Brand) chili for that matter. My personal toppings would always include, plenty of (green,and/or white) onions, shredded cheddar and hot sauce.

I guess Cincinnati chili over spaghetti must be the American version of the Italian, "beef bolognese".

Not really beef bolognese. Here is my mom's recipe:

Cincinnati Skyline Chili

2 lbs raw ground beef
3 cups water
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 ½ tsp salt
1 can tomato sauce (15 oz)
2 tsp cumin
¼ tsp garlic powder
1 ½ tsp vinegar
2 bay leaves
1 Tbspn chili powder
1 chopped onion
1 ½ tsp ground allspice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp crushed red pepper

Mix raw ground beef and water until soupy. Mix in remaining ingredients and simmer, uncovered, 3 hours. Stir occasionally. Makes 8 servings.

Serve over spaghetti noodles, top with cheese, chopped onions, or chili beans.


^^She got this recipe from the Atlantic City Press in 1987. We had just moved to Mays Landing, NJ from Mason, OH. We loved the chili in Ohio. She still makes it a few times every fall/winter.

Edited to fix the formatting on recipe.

I have never met a chili I didn't like. Although I've never been to Cincy, other than passing through on my way to California, I've had a 5-way and a Coney at Skyline in Naples, FL. It's not a Bowl of Red, but it's damn fine eating.

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

quote:

Originally posted by porkbeaks
"Ignore the word chili" and, after eating it, you can go forth without wondering if you hate certain kinds of chili.

Or, if you happen to be more open minded and accepting of "regionally different cuisine" (which btw, is what this site is at it's core all about) than certain posters here, you might well go forth finding you LIKE an additional kind of chili.

I always find it more than a bit odd when a poster here, and especially a regular poster who one might normally think accepts or understands the premise of this website, not only can't find it in him/herself to at least tolerate a regional difference, but goes on to belittle or denigrate such a difference. Makes you wonder why such a person even participates in this website - which at it's heart is all about celebrating regional differences.

Ah well, we are all free to post, no matter how much or little sense we make.

I'm with you all the way on this one.

As far as the poll question goes, I think all the toppings (with the exception of chopped garlic) are essential on the Cinci chili! I picked the cheese as that was on top, but I love 'em all.

quote:

Originally posted by twinwillow


I guess Cincinnati chili over spaghetti must be the American version of the Italian, "beef bolognese".

It's Greek.

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

quote:

Originally posted by X1

Meee-frickin'-yow, y'all!

Thank you for your well thought-out and topical contribution to the subject at hand

You're welcome, Sunshine.

I last had Cincinnati Chili in Fairfax, VA at the Hard Times Cafe of all places. It seems they were more scrimpy with the cheese compared to Miamidon's.

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson


Thank you for your well thought-out and topical contribution to the subject at hand

If this was a requirement, some people would be seeing their post numbers cut by more than half. And I would lose my fortune cookie postings. among others

Davydd, This may not be well thought out, but it is heartfelt:That looks delicious!!!

Please also count me in as a huge fan of Cincinnati 5-Way. I am going to Cincy for a baseball game in July with a bunch of co-workers and I can't wait to take them to Camp Washington Chili. It will be a first time for all of them, but I will be very surprised if they don't like it as much as I do.

Now, one thing I didn't particularly care for is the 6-Way.....leave off the garlic for me!

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster

I am going to Cincy for a baseball game in July with a bunch of co-workers and I can't wait to take them to Camp Washington Chili. It will be a first time for all of them, but I will be very surprised if they don't like it as much as I do.

Buffetbuster
If your co-workers are Pittsburgh natives- they'll probably want to know why Fries are not included on top of the 5-way Chili!

Wanderingjew-
Either that or a pierogie!