Sunflower Frito Pie Food

DEEP-DISH FRITO PIE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
• Pulse 4 ounces (3 cups) of Fritos® in a food processor until finely ground. Remove and reserve half of the Frito® crumbs. Add the flour, egg, 2 ounces (1/2 cup) Cheddar, 2 to 3 tablespoons of water and 1 teaspoon salt to the crumbs in the food processor. Pulse until a uniform dough forms, add an additional tablespoon of water if needed.
• Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie pan and use the bottom of a measuring cup to press evenly across the bottom and up the side of the pan. Prick holes in the bottom of the dough with a fork. Bake until lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside while making the chili.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned but not completely cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl with a slotted spoon, leaving behind as much fat in the skillet as possible. Reduce the heat to medium, add the garlic, bell pepper and onion and cook, stirring, until tender but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the chili powder, tomato paste and cumin and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and reserved beef along with any accumulated juices to skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring and scraping up any brown bits from the skillet, until the liquid is almost evaporated, 6 to 8 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the cornstarch, reserved Frito crumbs and 2 ounces (1/2 cup) Cheddar and stir until combined.
• Transfer the chili to the pie crust, top with the remaining 4 ounces (1 cup) Cheddar, cover with foil and bake until the cheese is melted and the filling is bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake, uncovered, for 5 minutes more. Let cool 15 minutes then top with a layer of sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo. Mound iceberg lettuce on top and sprinkle with pickled jalapeno slices, chopped onion, remaining Fritos and fresh cilantro leaves.

FRITO PIE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat the vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions and saute for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the vegetables start to wilt. Season with salt and cayenne. Stir in the beef , chili powder, cumin, crushed red pepper, and oregano. Brown the meat for 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, beef stock, and beans. Bring the liquid up to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer the liquid, uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, or until the beef is tender. Skim off the fat occasionally. Mix the masa and flour together with a little liquid from the stockpot. Slowly stir in the masa slurry and continue to cook for 30 minutes. Reseason with salt and cayenne. Place a handful of the chips in each shallow bowl. Spoon the chili over the chips. Garnish with the grated cheese, sour cream and jalapenos.

SUNSET MAGAZINE'S FRITO PIE

Steps:

• In a pan over medium-high heat, stir ground beef, garlic powder and 1 teaspoon salt until beef is crumbly and well browned, 6 to 8 minutes.
• With a large slotted spoon, push beef mixture to one side of pan and tilt pan so liquid runs to opposite side.
• Stir flour into liquid until well blended, then mix with beef mixture.
• Add 2 cups water, black beans (or kidney beans) if using, and dried chilies; stir until mixture boils and thickens, about 8 minutes.
• Spread about 1/3 cup of Fritos in each of six individual sized bowls and sprinkle chopped onion equally on top.
• Divide chili equally among the bowls and top with cheese, lettuce and tomato.
• Add more salt to taste if desired.
• NOTE: For large party gatherings, I usually triple the recipe and prepare this buffet style for each person to "build your own" Frito Pie. For diehards, you must have sliced fresh jalapenos as a garnish, too!

SUNFLOWER PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a large bowl beat together eggs, brown sugar, corn syrups.
• granulated sugar, melted butter, vanilla and salt.
• Place pie shell on cookie sheet.
• Spread sunflower seeds evenly in bottown of pie shell.
• Pour in liquids.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes until center is almost set, should jiggle slightly.
• Cool on wire rack.

SUNFLOWER FRITO PIE

Steps:

• Brown the ground beef in a large frying pan until browned.
• Add chopped onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add taco seasoning packet and 1/2 cup water, simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add green chiles (if using), black olives, salsa, refried beans, Velveeta cheese and cilantro (if using).
• Simmer, and stir often until cheese is melted.
• Ladle about 1/2-1 cup of beef mixture into the middle of a pasta or soup bowl.
• Surround the meat mixture with the Frito Scoops to form the sunflower petals, with the ends just touching the meat mixture, to hold "petals" in place.
• Garnish with sour cream and green onions, if desired.