At our senior citizen crochet and knit group we often get our terms mixed up and sometimes call a crochet pattern a recipe. We each chuckle and understand the faux pas.

Did I tell you about my humorous interchange with a ranger at the Great Smoky Mountain National Park visitors center? He had been speaking with Bob for while when I walked up. He asked where we were from and we told the Cincinnati area. He asked if we brought any chili with us. I said, no but you can get it in the freezer section now. He said he tried it canned and did not like it. I told him, “Well I have a recipe do you want me to send it to you?” He seemed eager. Then we spoke about other things regarding the Park. They now charge $5.50 per day for a parking permit. We thought that was more than reasonable since there is no park admission. We asked how many people are willing to pay the fee and how many skip it.

He said, “Funny thing about that! If you buy the permit all the proceeds go to the Park. If you wait and get cited, the rangers have to write the citation and all the proceeds go to the (I think he said) Department of the Interior and the park does not see a dime.” Now wait a minute! The rangers do the work and the park gets nothing?!?

As we ended our visit with him and he shared with me his email address he asked if I would send him the chili formula! I almost busted out laughing. I have done the pattern and recipe faux pas but have never heard a recipe called a formula!

So if you are interested in Cincinnati Style Chili, what follows is the FORMULA my mother used! She and my dad ran a chili parlor in Norwood for several years. A three way has chili, spaghetti and cheese. A four-way has beans, too. A five way has all of those plus raw onion.

Cincinnati Chili	                                                        *For vegetarian, use 
(2 lbs. ground beef or venison)                                 1-1/2 c TVP and more water
2 onions, chopped	                                    1/4 t ground cloves
4 c water	                                                    1/2 oz unsweet chocolate
2-8oz. cans tomato sauce	                   2 T vinegar	
(or 4-6 frozen, peeled tomatoes)  	   1 bay leaf
1/2 t allspice	                                            2 t worcestershire sauce
1/4 t garlic powder	                                    2 t cinnamon
2-4 T chili powder	                                    1-1/2 t salt
1 t cumin	                                                     1/2 t red pepper
Combine uncooked meat, onions & water: simmer 30 min.  
Add remaining ingredients.  Simmer uncovered 2-3 hrs until thick (stir frequently first hour). 
You may add a can of rinsed red or kidney beans. For best flavor, chill overnight.  
Serve with spaghetti & cheese, chopped raw onions if desired!

*(TVP: textured vegetable protein)