Camping With Mandy: Frito Pie

Everyone has an opinion about how to make chili, or is that just a Texas thing? Even I create my chili in a different way every time I make it. On this camping trip, my goal was to use my food in a smart and efficient way by stretching ingredients that could be used in more than one way. For this reason, my chili meat was ground spicy breakfast sausage, and it turned out great!

Here is what I used for my camping frito pie:
Fritos (which is already open, because Jim and I snacked on these earlier with a can of hot bean dip I purchased)
Package of chili seasoning mix
Can of black beans
Can of tomatoes with green chiles
Shredded cheddar jack cheese
Sour Cream
Remember the zip top bag of leftovers from breakfast? Yes, the one with half a pound of ground breakfast sausage and chopped bell pepper and onion. I put that in the skillet and warmed it up again.
Next I added my can of diced tomatoes with green chiles and a can of black beans.

Jim and I differ on how we like our frito pie layered. Jim prefers to start with a base of WHOLE fritos in the bottom of his bowl.
Next, he wants hot chili.
Topped off with shredded cheese and a dollop of daisy.

IIIIIIIIIIIIiiiiiiiiii on the other hand like my fritos crushed on the bottom.

Then you top with cheese.
Then you top with chili…that way the hot chili melts the cheese underneath.
Last, add your dollop of daisy.
We had a bunch of chili left over, so I’m packaging it up for use once we are back in Austin.
After lunch we came across this rock formation IN OUR CAMPSITE. Jim swears he didn’t do it, and I didn’t do it…. Must me the love fairies paying us a visit. Isn’t it cute?

Next, Jim and I pulled our camping chairs into the shade and I read my new Rachael Ray magazine cover to cover and he read his book that he brought. I just love having NOTHING to do, and the phone doesn’t ring (there isn’t reception) and the e-mail doesn’t ding (although it was filling up in my inbox). It was peaceful and lovely.

Now about that Rachael Ray mag. Anyone else think this is the best issue they have ever read? I dog-eared almost every page! The “all choked up” centerpiece idea I thought was ri-di-cu-lous.

Although I will be making (not in this order) the Golden Potato Mash, Onion Rings with Creamy Cajun Sauce, Pumpkin-Potato Pie, Roasted Cauliflower and Garlic with Toasted Almonds, Onion Chowder with Cheesy Onion Popovers, Creamy Pasta with Spinach and Fried Capers, Green Chili Sliders with Tangy Tomatillo-Lime Sauce, Turkey Monte Cristos, Chicken Salsa Verde Bake, Parmigiano-Riggiano-Crusted Chicken Piccata, Cheesy Meatballs, Pistachio-Crusted Pork Chops, Coconut Tapioca Pudding, Double-Decker Pumpkin-Caramel Pie, Spiced Pumpkin Mousse Trifle.

Oh my. Looks like I need to have a party so I have an excuse to do all this cooking and baking.

Back to Home With Mandy. Coming up in tomorrow’s post will be the Barefoot Blogger Challenge, Butternut Squash Risotto. This is so GOOD ya’ll!! Then on Friday I will finish up the Camping With Mandy by posting fajitas and camping doughnuts.