Chocolate and Chili!

Most people think summer is not the season for chocolate. It melts quickly, its taste is heavier, and lots of delicious chocolate treats (hot cocoa, baked goods, etc.) are usually associated with chillier weather. But chocolate is a year round food. It can be enjoyed in the hottest heat of the summer and the coldest winter night. 

You can slide a hunk of Arriba Dark Chocolate Bar into a delicious smore around a campfire, drink a refreshing COLD chocolate drink, or even use chocolate as an ingredient in a Midwest traditional dish Cincy “Skyline” Chili. One of the most unique and delicious foods I’ve ever eaten, it combines the spicy chili flavor with rich spices like clove and nutmeg. A truly unique and classic American dish!

Cincy “Skyline Chili”

Ingredients:

·         1 quart cold water

·         2 lbs ground beef

·         2 cups crushed tomato

·         2 onions, diced

·         4 garlic cloves, minced

·         1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

·         1 tbsp eSutras light unsweetened cocoa

·         1/4 cup chili powder

·         1 tsp Cincy Chili Spice

·         1 tsp ground cumin

·         2 tbsp cider vinegar

·         1 whole bay leaf

·         1/4 tsp ground cloves

·         1 tsp cinnamon

·         1 1/2 tsp sea salt

Directions:

1. Add beef and water to a 4-quart pot. Bring to a simmer while stirring until the ground beef is in very small pieces. Simmer for 30 minutes and add all the rest of the ingredients.
2. Simmer on low, uncovered, for 3 hours. Add water as needed if the chili becomes too thick.
3. Refrigerated the chili overnight, and the next day remove the layer of fat from top before reheating and serving.

There are many different ways of serving this chili depending on where in the Midwest you order it, a few classic ways to get the most flavors out of this dish is to add raw chopped onions, oyster crackers, kidney beans, and shredded cheese!

Happy Eating!