October 2, 2011

Pioneer Woman's Frito Chili Pie

I found this recipe a few days ago over on The Pioneer Woman's blog.  It immediately caught my eye, because she literally served this in mini Frito bags.  What in the world?  Then, that night, I saw a show on Food Network that did the exact same thing.  For something I had never seen before, to seeing it twice in the same day, I guess I had to try it.  The only problem was, that I would have to buy a big box of variety chips in order to get the small Frito bags and I didn't want to do that and there wasn't a vending machine around to buy two bags from.  So, I didn't get to try the fun way of serving this and went with the boring way of just eating it a regular old bowl.  This was really really yummy.  What better way to welcome October, than with a warm comforting bowl of chili.
Frito Chili Pie
adapted from: The Pioneer Woman    

1 Lb. ground beef
1/2 onion, finely chopped, opt.
1/2 green pepper, finely chopped, opt.
1 1/2 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz. can tomato sauce
1/2 can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chiles)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 Tbl. cumin
1 Tbl. chili powder
1/2 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
2 Tbl. masa or cornmeal
1/2 c. warm water
Fritos
Cheddar cheese, grated
sour cream

Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium high heat.  Add the onion and green pepper and cook until tender.  Add garlic and cook 30 more seconds.  Add tomato sauce, Rotel, salt, oregano, cumin and chili powder.  Cover and reduce heat to low.  Simmer for 30 minutes.  Add the kidney beans and pinto beans.  Cover and simmer another 20 minutes.  Combine masa and warm water and add.  Simmer a final 10-15 minutes.  Serve with Fritos, shredded Cheddar and sour cream.  Serves: 4

Jenn's Notes: Pioneer Woman's recipe does not include onion or green pepper, but I had some in my fridge, so I added them.  I even had one garden tomato, so I diced it and threw that it in there too.  I also added more water than her recipe called for, because it was super thick without it.  I cut the above recipe in half and it was perfect for the two of us to each have a big bowl full with no leftovers      

18 comments:

  1. Looks great this dish.So full of goodness.And a spicy one ..love it;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ohh this looks so good! Found you from the Something Swanky Blog Hop. I'm your newest follower.

    http://pinchofthisthatandtheother.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  3. I looove frito chili pie, one of my ultimate guilty pleasures

    http://chicgeekery.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a fun dinner idea! I looked at the pioneer women's website and the frito bag idea is sooo great. I think my kids would get such a kick out of this. I know I saw a 6 pack of the small frito bags in my market the other day. Thank you so much for the idea. When I post it on my blog I will link back to you and of course the pioneer woman.

    Ellen

    http://everydaysisters.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. We call this Chili-in-a-Bag where I come from. You can't go to a festival or fair without seeing some one walking around with one!

    ReplyDelete
  6. We call it a walking taco !!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looks good, I always remember growing up with chili and fritos, not in a bag though. Pioneer Woman probably had it thicker, because if you are putting it in a bag and it's not thick you could have a real mess...

    ReplyDelete
  8. My family makes this but with taco meat! Ha, not quite as fancy as pioneer woman. So delicious.

    Sorry I haven't commented in so long! I have kind of fallen off the blogosphere this summer but, I still have been following and still love your recipes and will be a more devoted follower starting now!

    Thanks for always posting such awesome pieces :)
    -Meg
    @ http://clutzycooking.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I tried this right after she posted it and it was so yummy.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I still remember at my grade school fair one year that they served chili (probably Hormel) and shredded cheese over Fritos in the small bag. I loved it back then but have never made it. I think it's about time, since it's been about 40 years.

    ReplyDelete
  11. WOW!! You can't go to a single football game here and not have frito chili pie in the bag served at concessions...they also did it with Nachos and "walking tacos" it was hot comforting and portable for sports events! I remember my father serving it to my sister and I when we were young as well...it has been a staple during the winter months for years in our home.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm getting ready to make this recipe today, but I'll be sticking mine in the crockpot until lunch time. Can't wait to have some of this deliciousness! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for the recipe! I was looking for something to use up some beans I have.
    ~Liz

    ReplyDelete
  14. Must not have Sonic Drive In's there. This has been on their menu since I can remember & my favorite to get. Although it's can chilli & american cheese. They are even serving as a wrap now. Although I have been eating this since childhood I have never seen it eaten out of the bag, what a neat idea! Cant wait to try this homemade version which sounds so much better.

    ReplyDelete
  15. This looks amazing, thanks for the idea. I want to turn this into a Freezer meal.... (without the fritos of course) Thanks so much!

    http://anotherksrose.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. When I was in grade school this was one of our favorites at school =)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am eating some of this right now. So yummy. Around here we call them Frito boats (CA).

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

LinkWithin