my love affair with fritos

As you may have noticed by now, dear readers, many of my stories have to do with food or my childhood - this one is both! Lucky you! :)

I adore fritos - not the barbecue or the jalapeno - or all that nonsense but the delicious, crunchy, greasy, bad for you, but now at least they have no 'trans fats' (as IF that makes it healthy), original fritos. My love affair with fritos started very early, so early I can never remember not loving them. The most likely reason for my deep and lasting emotional devotion to this mecca of corn chips is ... they were completely forbidden by my mother. But thankfully, for Frito Lay's profit margins in later years (since I have single handedly kept them in business), NOT by my father! (aren't dads great!!!)

So while they were strictly off-limits at the house, there were no such restrictions when with dad on a saturday afternoon at the pool!! Oh yeah!!! Imagine my delight when I approached the vending machine, face glowing with anticipation, palms sweating slightly to be able to have the whole bag to myself...oh rapture!!! Then at last, there they were, in my hands - the golden chips that surely the angels had made (Haleluhia...Haleluhia...angelic choir in the background) - they were that good to me.

and the best part...
and i know that i am not the only one who has done this...

I would gently and carefully carry my beautiful bag of fritos to the table, where quietly waiting was our 'super healthy' classic 70's lunch ... yes, a bologna sandwich on processed white bread (still my favorite) with neon yellow mustard. And then...Mmmmm...('memories, like the shadows of my mind...misty water-colored memories...') oh - wow! Sorry - where was I - oh yes, sandwich. I would open my sandwich and pour the entire bag of fritos on it, put to top piece of bread on it - and smash the whole thing together as flat as possible, crunching all of the fritos into the bologna. This is a very important step, by the way - should you want to try this at home (medical disclaimer, I assume no responsibility or liability for the potential coronary) - because it keeps the fritos in the sandwich. Crucial step.

It is the most perfect combination of textures and tastes the world has to offer!! (not that I am viewing it from the rosy glow of childhood or anything, phshh - silly you!!) The squish of white bread slathered with scrumptious mustard that drips onto your fingers while you crunch into the heaven that is known as fritos, followed by the meaty goodness of bologna -- ahhhh!!!

Just soooo yum-a-luscious! (I think I need a moment) haha

With all that in mind, I am pretty sure that I have never been able to only have a few fritos - usually it is at least half a bag, if not all of it.

I have noticed in my ongoing desire of fritos that not all fritos products are created equal..."Scoops" taste totally different than fritos, and not in a good way. And yes, I was very disappointed and I don't deal with disappointment well. (those of you who know me will - no doubt - agree) Why they taste so different I am not altogether sure, I can only ponder that the larger chip just doesn't soak up the grease in the same delectable way. (pity)

As with any good love affair, you are always exploring and learning something new about each other, so it is with fritos and I - which actually inspired tonight's story...

I was delicately nibbling (ok, not!) on my fritos, cheese, and carrots for dinner (yes, I said dinner - no I am not apologizing, at least there were carrots!) and I discovered that fritos taste even better when you stuff 20+ in your mouth all at once versus just eating them one at a time! Eureka!!! :) How could I have been missing out on this all this time!!

Really, try it, you will see!

They are also fabulous with peanut m&m's, and topped with chili, and...well,
I am beginning to guess that this is why I always eat at least half the bag!! Bon Appetite!