Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007
From: "Ken Peck" 
Subject: Happy Birthday!

Today is the 75th anniversary of the birth of Fritos.
 
And it should be noted that nearly 3 quarters of a century ago, 
the Frito Pie was invented.
 
Sort of like the old Soviet Union, Arizona claims to have invented 
the Frito Pie a mere 45 years ago. How one can "invent" something 
which had already been invented nearly 3 decades earlier, isn't 
entirely clear.
 
Arizonans probably don't know how to make chili, either. Probably do 
weird things like put beans in the chili pot. 

---------------------------------------------
From: Ellen Rains Harris:

I second your objection.

As hard as it may be to believe, I ate Frito Chili Pies more than 45 
years ago.

And they are still available at Hard Times Chili, where I go for my fix 
from time to time.

---------------------------------------------
From: Alb Tross:
Wow.  I didn't realize modern people lived that long ago.

Helpfully,
John 

---------------------------------------------
From: "Ken Peck" 

Now that you mention it, I'm pretty sure I ate my first Frito Pie 
in San Angelo. That would have been 50 to 60 years ago. And I'm sure 
they weren't an Arizona novelty being introduced for the first time.

Basic simple anywhere recipe for Frito Pie.

Heat some Wolf Brand Chili until bubbling.
Take an individual package of Fritos. Slit it down the side.
Pour the chili over the Fritos.
Eat with a plastic spoon.

Gourmet Frito Pie.
Garnish the above with freshly chopped onion 
and grated Monterrey Jack cheese.

Haut Cuisine Frito Pie.

Put the Fritos in a bowl, pour hot chili over them, 
garnish with chopped onion and grated Monterrey Jack cheese 
and eat with a metal spoon.

---------------------------------------------
From: Ellen Rains Harris:

DO NOT USE WOLF BRAND CHILI UNLESS THERE HAS RECENTLY BEEN 
A NUCLEAR HOLOCAUST IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!!

You can make chili in half an hour.  Why not?

(I keep Wolf Brand on the boat next to the Spam and Vienny Weenys)

---------------------------------------------
From: Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano:

Although i see it in the supermarket, I can never quite believe it
that people buy chili in a can when it is so ridiculously simple to
make.

I thought the point of Frito chili pie was a way to use up and stretch
leftover chili.

I do wish they's make salt free fritos.

---------------------------------------------
From: "Ken Peck" 

Actually, the whole point of Frito Pie was to sell Fritos. The mom (Daisey
Dean Doolin) of the guy who invented Fritos (Elmer Doolin) came up with the
idea while experimenting with recipes using Fritos as part of her son's
efforts to market Fritos.

Heresy! Frito Pie was not meant to be "health food."