Being a Cincinnati native – where chili on spaghetti is very much a real thing – I love my chili.
Sandwiched between a thick wad of spaghetti and a mountain of grated cheddar, Cincinnati chili doesn’t quite stir the palate on sight.
Imagine that being the culinary representation of your city. Yeah it’s weird I know.
Nonetheless, it’s a taste of home.
Typically when making my own chili, I go a little heavy on the meat. That’s because I buy into naturopath Peter J. D’Adamo’s blood-type diet.
Dr. D’Adamo suggested that people react differently to certain types of food depending on their blood type and believed that certain diets were better suited for each.
Fortunately for O positive blood types like myself, he recommended animal protein.
Ground beef is one of the staple proteins for chili. I start with a generous amount of 92% or leaner ground beef or ground deer from a hunt and some olive oil for fat.
There are a wide range of chili seasonings at the supermarket that you can use, but I stick with a regular allspice for its aromatic flavor. Once everything has fully marinated, I throw in kidney beans and diced tomatoes.
My nutrition is pretty protein heavy so I keep a 2:1 ratio of meat to tomatoes/beans. Depending on your blood type or nutritional needs, you can easily vary that or play around with other ingredients.
If you’re vegan, you can even ditch the meat and go with some leafy greens, or a dollop of avocado for creaminess. Opt for a squeeze of fresh lime to finish if you crave a tangy zest that isn’t too overpowering.
Putting the mix on low boil over medium heat really allows the different flavors to come together.
To serve, most folks will crumple some crackers on to the chili for easy toppings. I personally use dry oats to get my serving of carbohydrates. Simple and delicious.
Chili is a spicy condiment not just for Superbowl parties. It can be a part of your everyday diet as a light garnish.
Homemade chili is a tasty and nutritious source of protein, vitamin C, fiber and other minerals.
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide. Iron is important as it helps circulate oxygen through the body. The beans in your chili are a great way to supplement your daily iron intake.
The capsaicin in allspice seasoning are rich in antioxidants and help to raise your metabolic rate. This burns more calories and aids in weight loss.
Homemade chili is relatively easy to prepare and requires mostly cheap ingredients. Furthermore, there are plenty of health benefits associated with the consumption of chili.
So if you haven’t already, now is the time to consider adding a little spice to your life.