Spicy Chocolate Chili (Cincinnati Style)

By Kim Biegacki
@pistachyoo

My husband, Anthony & I were getting our 2011 taxes done and one of the tax consultants was leaving with a crock pot of chili. I told him that is smelled delicious and then he offered us a bowl. Well, I was taken aback by the taste of this sweet and spicy chili and was trying to figure out what was in it. My first 2 guesses were honey & maple syrup and my third was chocolate and he said yes to the chocolate. He said that he loves making all different kinds of chili and told me the main ingredients.
So, my husband and I had a chili cook-off & this is my rendition of a spicy chocolate chili.

Rating:

★★★★★ 6 votes

Comments:

80 Comments

Serves:

8 - 10 people

Prep:

30 Min

Cook:

2 Hr 30 Min

Method:

Stove Top

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Notes from the Test Kitchen:
The sweet spicy flavor of this chili comes through in this one. Chili lovers are sure to love this one!

For all of the tomatoes and beans in the recipe, we used 15 oz. cans.

Ingredients

1 lb: lean ground beef
1 lb: tri-tip, coarsely ground
1 large: onion, diced
2 large: green bell pepper, chopped
4 medium: green finger hot chile peppers, diced
6 c: spicy hot v8
2 can(s): petite cut, diced tomatoes (14.5 oz. can)
2 can(s): light red kidney beans, drain (15.5 or 16 oz. cans)ed and rinsed
2 can(s): great northern beans, drained (15 or 15.5 oz. cans)d and rinsed
4 small: cans, diced green chiles fire roasted
1 c: sliced jalapeño peppers, chopped
16 oz: roasted red peppers, diced (mezzetta's)
2: squares of bakers semi-sweet chocolate
1: lindt chocolate chili bar
1 Tbsp: worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp: chipotle sauce
2 Tbsp: red wine vinegar
1 tsp: garlic powder
1 1 1/2 Tbsp: (penzey's) chili 9000
2 tsp: (penzey's) ancho chili pepper, ground
1 tsp: onion salt
2 Tbsp: (penzey's) chili powder
1 Tbsp: cumin
1 Tbsp: (penzey's) korintje cinnamon
1 tsp: black pepper
2 tsp: sea salt
1 Tbsp: brown sugar, dark (opt)
1 c: water or more if needed
4 medium: green onions, chopped
1 c: sour cream (if you need to tone down the heat)

How to Make Spicy Chocolate Chili (Cincinnati Style)

Step-by-Step

1Gather all your ingredients first and get them ready.
2Cook up your peppers & onions in a pan with a little butter or oil. In another pan cook up your coarsely ground tri-tip and ground beef together. Drain off the meat.
3Now, over medium heat begin adding tomatoes, beans and peppers. (Add cans of pimentos at the end of cooking time and the Lindt Spicy Chocolate bar.) Once that is all stirred together begin adding you spices and sauces. Once all ingredients are added lower heat to a simmer for 3 1/2 hours to 4 hours before serving. It can cook longer if you like. The longer it cooks the better it tastes and the smell is intoxicating!!! I don't know what I like more the smell of spices, scent of cinnamon or aroma of chocolate.

Add the 2 squares of chocolate about 1/2 to 45 minutes before done.
4Prepare your garnishes for the bowls of chili and enjoy your spicy/sweet chocolate chili.
5My husband finally added his Chili recipe and here is the link for it.

Meat Lover's Chili
6Posted here is link for the World Food Championships. justapinch.com/...championships-2013
7April 30th, 2015 --- I took my Spicy Chocolate Chili and made a delicious version of Cincinnati Chili 7-Way which is Chili, Pasta, Cheese, Onion, Beans, Tomato & Pepper. Of course, my chili already has the beans, tomato and pepper in it. I LOVED the diced onions on top...really good.