Frito pie was a staple in our home throughout my childhood within the South. At any time when my mother made chili, we’d line our bowls with the corn chips earlier than spooning the chili on high, appearing as if we’d invented the dish ourselves. The mixture of crunchy Fritos, hearty chili, and gooey cheese made it a favourite amongst us, and I keep in mind standing across the counter making an attempt to resolve between Fritos Scoops or the traditional form.
However the custom didn’t cease at house: On homesick nights in faculty, I’d hit up the nook market, seize a bag of Fritos, canned chili, and shredded cheese, and zap myself a comforting bowl of Frito chili pie within the dorm microwave. Quick-forward to at this time and I’m bringing a vegetarian twist to the beloved traditional with this do-it-yourself model. It’s full of umami-rich components like soy sauce, mushrooms, tomatoes, beans, and spices, making it simply as satisfying as the unique dish made with floor beef.
To make this recipe even simpler, you possibly can prep the chili forward of time and retailer it within the fridge for as much as three days or freeze it for as much as three months. When selecting the beans, I like to recommend a duo of creamy (cannellini or navy) and earthy (pinto, kidney, or black) varieties for one of the best texture. To protect crunch, layer the Fritos simply earlier than baking. And be at liberty to make use of your favourite cheese or a vegan various. Any leftover chili may be repurposed into nachos, stuffed peppers, or a hearty chili mac.
