Vegetarian Frito Pie

This Frito Pie recipe is a comforting and flavorful vegetarian version of a classic, featuring a hearty homemade chili with tofu and bell peppers, perfectly suited for Lola.

Yields: 4 servings 

Prep time: 20 minutes 

Cook time: 30-40 minutes

Equipment:

• Large pot or Dutch oven

• Medium bowl

• Small bowl

• Knife

• Cutting board

• Measuring cups

• Liquid measuring cup

• Measuring spoons

• Spatula

• Mixing spoon

• Can opener

• Ladle

• 4 serving bowls or small plates

• Colander

Ingredients:

For the Vegetarian Chili:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced

• 1 bell pepper (any color), diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 14 ounces firm or extra-firm tofu, pressed and crumbled

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth

• 2 tablespoons chili powder

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

• 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

For Assembly & Toppings:

• 1 (9.25 ounce) bag Frito corn chips

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese (not American cheese)

• Optional toppings: diced red onion, sriracha, fresh cilantro (chopped), vegetarian sour cream (ensure it is not cream cheese-based)

Instructions:

Preparing the Vegetarian Chili:

Step 1.) If pressing tofu, wrap the block in paper towels or a clean kitchen towel and place it on a plate. Place a heavy object (like a cookbook or a heavy pan) on top for 10-15 minutes to press out excess water.

Step 2.) Using a knife and cutting board, dice the yellow onion and bell pepper, and mince the garlic. Crumble the pressed tofu into small pieces using your hands or a fork.

Step 3.) Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring with a spatula, for 5-7 minutes until softened.

Step 4.) Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.

Step 5.) Add the crumbled tofu to the pot. Cook, stirring with a spatula, for 5-7 minutes, breaking up any large clumps, until the tofu is heated through and slightly browned.

Step 6.) Using a can opener, open the cans of diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and black beans. Rinse and drain the kidney and black beans using a colander.

Step 7.) Stir in the diced tomatoes (undrained), rinsed and drained kidney beans, rinsed and drained black beans, and vegetable broth into the pot with the tofu and vegetables.

Step 8.) Add the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and optional granulated sugar to the pot. Stir well with a mixing spoon to combine all ingredients.

Step 9.) Bring the chili to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer for at least 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 10.) Taste the chili using a spoon and adjust seasonings as needed.

Assembling the Frito Pie:

Step 11.) Prepare your desired optional toppings: Using a knife and cutting board, dice the red onion if using. Chop fresh cilantro if using.

Step 12.) To assemble each Frito Pie, open the bag of Frito corn chips or place a generous layer of Fritos in each of the 4 serving bowls or on small plates.

Step 13.) Ladle a generous amount of hot vegetarian chili over the Fritos in each bowl.

Step 14.) Top immediately with a hearty sprinkle of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese. The heat from the chili will melt the cheese.

Step 15.) Add any of the optional toppings Lola enjoys, such as diced red onion, a drizzle of sriracha, fresh cilantro, or a dollop of vegetarian sour cream.

Step 16.) Serve immediately and enjoy with a spoon.

Tips for Success:

• For a thicker chili, you can mash some of the beans against the side of the pot with your mixing spoon while it simmers.

• Feel free to add other diced vegetables Lola enjoys to the chili, such as carrots or corn, at the same time as the onions and bell peppers.

• If you have time, let the chili simmer longer (even up to an hour or more on low heat), stirring occasionally, for even deeper flavor development.