Rootin Tootin Cincinnati Chili Food

ROOTIN'-TOOTIN' NO-FAIL CHILI

Steps:

• In a dutch oven, add oil and cook ground beef on medium heat until no longer pink, but not browned.
• Add onion, green pepper, garlic and celery. Season with salt and pepper and saute until the vegetables become somewhat soft, about 10 minutes.
• Drain mixture in a colander and add back to pot.
• Add remaining ingredients (except cheese), stirring well after each addition.
• Bring chili to a simmer, cover, and cook on stove 3 to 4 hours. If chili is too thin, put the lid ajar for last 30-60 minutes of cooking.

ROOTIN' TOOTIN' CHILI

Steps:

• Brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Once browned, put in the onions, bell pepper and jalapeno. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and drain grease.
• Return beef mixture to a large stockpot. Add the remaining ingredients and cover the pot. Simmer on medium-low heat for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

CINCINNATI-STYLE CHILI

Steps:

• For the chili: In a stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the tomato sauce, tomato paste, onions, chili powder, cocoa powder, sugar, kosher salt, cinnamon, cumin, garlic salt, allspice, pepper, cayenne, cloves, bay leaves, beef (do not brown first) and 2 cups water. Mix until combined. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for approximately 2 hours. Stir in the vinegar and simmer for another 30 minutes.
• To serve: Serve on a bed of spaghetti and top with the beans, onions and a mound of cheese (or any preferred combination). Add hot sauce, if desired, and eat with oyster crackers.

CINCINNATI CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Add half the chopped onions and the garlic and cook until soft, stirring, about 5 minutes. Add the chili powder, paprika, cumin, allspice, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne and cloves. Cook, stirring, until fragrant. Add the beef and cook the mixture, stirring, until the beef is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon salt.
• Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, bay leaf and 1 1/2 cups water; simmer the mixture, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until slightly thicker. Add the chocolate, vinegar and Worcestershire and cook until the mixture is thickened but still soupy, about 15 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain well.
• Discard the bay leaf and season the chili with the freshly ground pepper. Divide the spaghetti among bowls and top with the chili, beans, remaining onion and cheddar. Serve with the oyster crackers if desired.

ROOTIN' TOOTIN' ROASTED ROOTS - ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES IN PAPER

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 220C/450F/Gas mark 7.
• Cut a large piece of baking parchment, greaseproof paper or baking paper to size - it should fit the roasting tray with enough paper to bring the sides up to form a parcel.
• Place all the prepared vegetables into a large mixing bowl and add olive oil to personal taste; I used about 2 tablespoons for my vegetables over the Christmas period.) Mix the vegetables well, making sure that they are all coated in olive oil. Season to taste, remembering that it is nice to sprinkle extra seasonings on before serving. Add a few sprigs of fresh thyme.
• Place all the vegetables into the prepared paper parcel in the roasting tray, and spread them out so that they are more or less even. Bring the sides of the paper up and scrunch it up in the middle to form a big paper parcel!
• Place the vegetables in the pre-heated oven and cook for 30 minutes.
• After 30 minutes has elapsed - carefully take the vegetables out and open up the paper parcel to allow the vegetables to crisp up and go brown and crunchy - give them a gentle stir and place them back into the oven. Turn the heat up to 250C/495F/Gas Mark 8 and allow them to continue roasting for a further 15 to 20 minutes, or until soft, crispy and golden brown with some charred edges.
• Place them on a large serving platter in the paper if you wish or place them into a large serving dish - sprinkle with more seasonings and garnish with fresh thyme.
• Smaller parcels of root vegetables can be cooked, but you will need to reduce the cooking times by about 10 to 15 minutes.