Harris Sweet Been Chili

harris-chili.txt

This recipe is based on what I could gather from authentic skyline chili, but obviously no meat. You could substitute fake meat while staying vegetarian. In that case, take out the black beans, they are the meat here. I like them a lot, so I wouldn't change it.

Main Ingredients
2 Cans of Black Beans (16 oz total), drained and rinsed
1 Can of Kidney or Red Beans (8 oz total), drained and rinsed
2 Cans of Tomato Sauce (16 oz total)
1 Onion, Diced
3 Cloves of Garlic, Minced
1 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
1/3-1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1-2 Oz Baking Chocolate Square
1 Whole Bay Leaf
2 tsp Kosher Salt
Spices
2 tbsp Chili Powder (High Quality)
2 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
1 tsp Cloves
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Allspice
2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce (I omit this)
Serving
Oyster Crackers
Spaghetti
Shredded Block of Cheddar Cheese (never pre-shredded)
Instructions
On medium heat place a big pot, add about 2 tbsps of olive oil.
Saute the onions until translucent and soft. Save some for toppings, optional.
Add garlic halfway through onions.
When done, deglaze the bottom of the pot with the vinegar, which is to say dump it in and use it to dislodge any brown bits, these might burn when the chili is cooking.
Add the beans, mix them around a bit while they saute, maybe 2-3 minutes.
Add the tomato sauce.
Now add all the rest of the main ingredients and spices.
Stir until the whole mass is a deep brown.
Cover, and let this get up to just barely boiling, then bring it down to a simmer.
Stir every 10 minutes or so, make sure to dislodge any dry bits by sliding your spoon across the bottom of the pot, again we want to avoid burning.
And then let it stew for about as long as you want, probably 1-hour minimum. It's going to lose water, so if it seems too dense, pour some in. Note, once it cools down it will be a lot more viscous. Real Cincinnati Chili is actually pretty wet, but I find with the beans, I like it to have the consistency of a more standard chili.

After a while, taste it. Might need more salt. Might want a little sweeter, then add brown sugar.

Serve over spaghetti, top with shredded cheese, and then oyster crackers. A 5-way will have kidney beans, but we already have that. It'll also have diced onions. I don't really care for them, but if you like them, save some of the diced onion before sauteing.

Alternatively, serve on top of veggie-dogs in a bun with a lot of cheese on top, that's how I remember eating my Skyline at King's Island.