Murray's Girlfriend's Cincinnati Chili

Ingredients

2 tb butter
2 lb beef
6 bay leaves
2 onion
6 garlic
1 ts cinnamon
2 ts allspice
4 ts vinegar
1 ts pepper
1 chile caribe
1 1/2 ts salt
2 chile
1 ts cumin
1/2 ts oregano
1 package tomato paste
6 c water
1 package kidney beans
1/2 vermicelli
1/2 c cheddar cheese

Instructions

meat to the skillet. Break up any lumps with a fork and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is evenly browned.~ 2. Stir in the remaining ingredients up through the water. Taste and adjust seasonings. If the flavor is too sweet, add a small amount of vinegar; if not spicy enough, add a small amount of ground chile.~ 3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 2 to 4 hours. Add the kidney beans to the mixture 1/2 hour before serving.~ 4. Place a small amount of the cooked vermicelli in individual bowls. Spoon on a generous amount of chili. Top with grated cheese and raw onion or pass in individual bowls.~