Cincinnati Chili

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 (1 ounce) square unsweetened chocolate
• 2 (10.5 ounce) cans beef broth
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 6 minutes.
2. Add beef, in batches if necessary, and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned.
3. Add chili powder, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, cloves, bay leaf, chocolate, beef broth, tomato sauce, cider vinegar, and red pepper. Stir to mix well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
4. It is the best if you now refrigerate overnight.
5. Remove the bay leaf. Reheat gently over medium heat. Serve over hot, drained spaghetti. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.

Semifreddo Champagne

Ingredients: (makes 2)

½ cup frozen peaches
2 oz peach schnapps
1 oz orange liqueur
½ cup ice cubes
8 oz chilled champagne
2 tsp superfine sugar

Directions: blend peaches, peach schnapps, orange liqueur and ice in a blender until ice is smooth. Top with champagne and stir.