Laurie's Last Blog

Happy Week Before Christmas!

I hope your holiday is looking bright and festive this year. 

Being that this is the final round of our joint blog, concluding with the last chapter of K.M. Fawcett's novel, Captive, next Wednesday, December 21st, I'll keep today's post short, light and holiday-centric.

Holiday traditions generally include Christmas parties, family get-togethers, gift shopping and, of course, holiday treats. Here in New Mexico we have many traditional foods that are unique to our state or the Southwest. There are biscochitos (bees-co-cheat-toes) holiday cookies, fresh made tamales (toe-mah-lays), and posole (poe-so-lay), a spicy corn stew usually made with pork.

One of our more unique traditions for the holidays--or really, any time of year--are Frito Pies. Yes, that's "Frito" as in the crispy corn chip made by the Frito Lay Company. 

No one is sure of the true origin of Frito Pies, but local lore says it was invented in the 1960s by Teresa Hernández, who worked at the F. W. Woolworth's lunch counter on the plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico. At that time, Frito pies were actually made inside the Frito bags, which were sliced lengthwise and the ingredients poured in. Modern Frito Pies are usually made in a bowl. 

Want the recipe? You're in luck. Years ago I asked my co-worker, native Santa Fean, Annette, if she could tell me how she made her scrumptious Frito Pies. She was happy to share her authentic old family recipe. 

ANNETTE'S SANTA FE FRITO PIE RECIPE

To make red chili and beef mixture, you'll need:
1/2 to 1 pound ground beef (or turkey)
chopped onions (optional)
garlic powder
Either frozen red chili or chili powder
2 dashes soy sauce (optional)
Salt and pepper (to taste)

Brown the ground beef with onions, garlic, salt and pepper. Once ground beef is browned, add two dashes of soy sauce (if desired), and 1 to 2 tablespoons of flour and cook for about two minutes. Blend chili (or chili powder and water) in blender. Combine red chili mixture with ground beef mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until it reaches desired thickness.

To assemble Frito Pies:
Red chili and ground beef mixture (above)
Fritos
Pinto Beans
Lettuce (chopped)
Tomatoes (chopped)
Onions (chopped)
American cheese (grated)

Spoon canned or fresh cooked pinto beans in small to medium size bowls, fill each with Fritos and pour red chili ground beef mixture (from above) over the Frito chips. Top with cheese, chopped lettuce, onions and tomatoes. Dig in and enjoy!

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I wish you all a very happy holiday, good times with family and friends, and the celebration of your own special traditions.

Have a wonderful holiday season...and best wishes for the future!