I spent about 10 years of my childhood living in the Greater Cincinnati area and developed a deep love for Cincinnati chili. I know it is an acquired taste and many people are turned off by the addition of cocoa and cinnamon to a chili dish, but I was addicted to two restaurants that specialized in Cincinnati chili: Skyline Chili and Gold Star Chili.

When I became a vegetarian, I thought my chili days were over. I avoided the temptation to visit my old haunts. I didn’t contemplate the possibility of a vegetarian version until I stumbled upon a recipe on PETA’s website.

My parents and siblings are all hardcore carnivores, so they love to taunt me every time they eat a five-way (spaghetti, Cincinnati chili, cheese, onions and beans) or a coney (a chili dog with Cincinnati chili).

Salvation is at hand. After a quick Google search, I discovered dozens of vegetarian and vegan recipes for Cincinnati chili.

My new mission, along with baking birthday cakes for friends and family, is to find the perfect vegetarian chili recipe.

I am going to start with the PETA recipe and will continue trying out recipes until I find the best one.

Stay tuned.