By Drew Olson Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Oct 16, 2008 at 7:50 AM

October is Dining Month on OnMilwaukee.com. All month, we're stuffed with restaurant reviews, special features, chef profiles and unique articles on everything food. Bon appetit!

In anticipation of this installment of the "Daily Dish," I rummaged through the family archives in search of a killer turkey spinach meatloaf recipe when I stumbled upon a printout I've had for several years.

I don't remember where, when or how I acquired it. I just remember a feeling that I had stumbled onto something secret and magical.

The top line of the printout says it all:

REAL CHILI RECIPES !

Real Chili has been a Milwaukee institution (and Marquette University dietary staple) for more than 75 years.

I don't know if these are legitimate or not. A quick Google search reveals that they are readily available. I've never tried to make either one, but I may give on a shot this weekend -- after I head over to the Wells Street location for a "Marquette Special."

In any event, I will pass these along and save the turkey spinach meatloaf for another day:

The "Marquette Special"

Ingredients
* 2 lbs hamburger browned
* 1 oz. unsweetened Baker's chocolate
* 3 tbsp. chili powder
* 1 tbsp. garlic powder
* 1 tbsp. cumin seeds
* 1/2 tbsp. paprika
* 3-4 chili peppers
* 1 tsp. white pepper
* salt
* pepper
* 2 cups water
* 1 tsp red pepper
* 1 onion

Preparation
Simmer two hours. Serve over spaghetti noodles and beans. Top with onions, shredded cheddar cheese (from Wisconsin of course) and oyster crackers.

Real Chili No. 2

Ingredients
* 1 tablespoon oil
* ½ cup chopped onions
* 1 pound ground beef
* 1 pound ground sirloin
* ¼ cup chili powder
* ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon cumin
* ½ teaspoon nutmeg
* ¼ teaspoon allspice
* ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
* 1 bay leaf
* 1 1-ounce block unsweetened baking chocolate
* 2 14-ounce cans beef broth
* 1 small can tomato sauce
* 2 tablespoons cider vinegar

Preparation
Heat the oil in a large pan and cook onions until tender. Add the meat and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. When meat is browned, add spices, chocolate, broth, tomato sauce and vinegar, stirring to mix well. Bring to a boil, then turn heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1½ hours. It should start to thicken. It is best if refrigerated overnight and reheated the following day.

Serve with options:
· cooked spaghetti
· warmed light kidney beans
· chopped white onions
· shredded cheddar cheese
· sour cream

 

 

Drew Olson Special to OnMilwaukee.com

Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.