Dinner: Cincinnati Chili

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Apple Cider Vinegar

Health benefits of Cincinnati Chili

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060). Apple cider vinegar will improve your body's sensitivity to insulin (Reference: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/27/1/281.full)

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 white onions, chopped
2 pounds ground beef (85% lean)
5 cups beef stock
Two 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
Scant 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
Scant 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
Toppings and Combinations: (optional)
Spaghetti, cooked
Cheddar cheese, very finely shredded
White onion, chopped
Canned kidney beans, warmed
Hot dogs
Hot dog buns
Yellow mustard

Instructions

Heat a large pot over a medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and onions and stir. Add the ground beef and cook until well caramelized. Deglaze the pot with 1 cup of the beef stock. Add the remaining 4 cups stock and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, chocolate, chili powder, vinegar, Worcestershire, cinnamon, cumin, salt, cayenne, allspice, cloves, garlic and bay leaf. Simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour. To create your own Cincinnati chili experience, try serving the chili in any of these combinations:Classic 2-Way: chili and spaghettiClassic 3-Way: chili and cheeseClassic 4-Way: add onions or kidney beansClassic 5-Way: add onions and kidney beansCheese Coney: on a hot dog with yellow mustard and cheddar (onions, optional!)