Time: 1hr 35 min

6 Servings

Ingredients

• 5 cups water
• 6 oz can of Tomato paste
• 1/2 oz baking chocolate (unsweetened)
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp allspice
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, or less, depending on your desired heat level
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 1/4 lb lean ground beef

Instructions

1. Add the water to a large pot or dutch oven.
2. Add the tomato paste and chocolate and heat over medium heat stirring to combine for about 3 minutes.
3. Add chili powder, cinnamon, garlic powder, cumin, allspice, cloves, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, sugar and vinegar.
4. Next, crumble the raw ground beef into the pot with your fingers, then use a potato masher, whisk or fork to break up the meat into very fine pieces.
5. Turn heat to high to bring to a boil.
6. Once boiling, turn the heat down to med-low.
7. Cook, uncovered, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, at a low boil.. stirring occasionally until sauce has thickened.

Options for serving:

What makes a 2-way plate of chili different than a 5-way?

2-Way: Chili served over spaghetti.

3-Way: Chili served over spaghetti with finely shredded cheddar cheese.

4-Way: Chili served over spaghetti with diced onions and finely shredded cheddar cheese.

5-Way: Chili served over spaghetti with warmed canned red kidney beans, diced onions, and finely shredded cheddar cheese.