Happy Tuesday! I hope you had a fantastic weekend! November is off to a chilly start and so I thought I would make it deliciously chili! That’s right… today we are an making a super easy chili dish we call the Frito Dish in our family. There are all sorts of “Frito” dishes out there, from casseroles to salads, and we’ve morphed this one many times over the years. My husband Troy’s mom is an excellent cook, and this is a dish she has made many times, and after Troy and I were married (33 years ago) we began including it in our favorites! And its super easy, and super delish!

But before we begin, I would like to thank my amazing photographer and very good friend, Maribeth Schmidt for her gorgeous photography! She is truly an artist, and her pictures are simply stunning! If you would like to see more of her work, or for an inquiry, you can visit her at Maribeth Schmidt Photography.

And now, lets begin!

Ingredients:

• 1-2 lbs ground beef (for my crew we use 2 lbs, then we can enjoy some the next day)
• 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can ROTEL tomatoes with green chilis, undrained
• 1 can kidney beans, drained
• 1 can pinto beans, drained
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• Optional: Peppers (red/green/yellow/orange- the kind you like- chopped slightly larger chunks) This is to taste. I used about 1/2 pepper of each color of pepper, but its completely to your taste or what you have available.
• 1 packet chili seasoning per pound of meat you are cooking
• 1 cup of water
• SERVE WITH- Fritos Scoops, Sour Cream, Shredded Colby Jack or Cheddar

Begin by browning your ground beef. (*Note* you can also substitute ground turkey or chicken, I’ve tried the turkey and it is good, we just prefer the beef*) I use a non-stick skillet, and I heat the pan on a medium heat for a minute or two before adding the beef. Using a wooden spoon or coated spatula, break up the beef and continue to turn it so that all of the pink turns brown.

I stay right near it, turning it and crumbling it further down with my spatula frequently.

Be sure all the meat is cooked through until the pink disappears. Drain off the fat.

Add chopped onion to the pan, and simmer a few more minutes. *At this point, I transfer to a larger pot, but you may not need to, it all depends on how large your pan is. Now you add in the seasoning packets. Note: there are a variety of chili seasoning packets out there, my favorites McCormick’s, and French’s Chili-O mix. Watch the packets carefully, some come in a mild or original or extra hot. Use the one that suits your tastes. Use one packet per pound of beef.

Now add water, both cans of the tomatoes (undrained), and then drain the beans and add them. (Some people leave their beans undrained, but I personally don’t care for the texture of the liquid in the beans, and that is why I add a cup of water and drain the beans). Add in your chopped peppers.

Bring it to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes. Doesn’t that look pretty?

Now its time to serve it up,

and offer with delicious chili trimmings, Fritos, sour cream and shredded cheese…

Three soldiers reporting for duty!

And at my house, my son always keep a bottle of hot sauce nearby for a little extra ‘BAM!

The Fritos are key at our house (hence the name “Frito Dish”) kind of fun having Fritos be a key ingredient in your dinner… (yet you could still enjoy this without Fritos, or subbing in your favorite corn chip).

We often take a handful of the Fritos and crunch them in our hands and sprinkle over the chili, or (since those lovely Frito Scoops have come out) We sometimes use the Fritos as a scoop to eat the chili!

This is also fantastic on top of tossed salad or a baked potato.

All of these merry colors in your dinner, and that little bit of spice just warm you up from the inside out!

One thing is certain, however you choose to enjoy your chili, it is an easy and truly delicious hot meal on a cold night!

This would be a great dinner to share with friends! Great for enjoying while watching football! Goodness… you could call it “Friendship Chili”! I like that! “Come on over for some Friendship Chili”! Call up your brother or sister and her family! Invite your parents! Or kids/grandkids! Or a neighbor that could use a smile! Or simply enjoy it in your own comfy cozy quiet home.

And if you serve it up with a great big smile and warm heart, it will be simply irresistible!

We’ve shared many meals via this Tasty Tuesday page, and I think of each of you as my dear friends, and that is a very good thought indeed!

I hope you have a fantastic week! I’ll be back Friday for another Fashion Friday!

Love Always,

Amy

“Friendship is a word, the very sight of which in print makes the heart warm.”  ~Augustine Birrell