"Fritos" news and stories

In the midst of some psyche-searing research into the most annoying food commercials of all time, we came across a 1978 Fritos ad we'd once prayed would be forever lost in time. Thanks a lot, Interweb. We're gonna have the noodly kazoo line, militant (MUNCHA!) refrain (BUNCHA!) and addled kid giggle looping through our heads all day. And goshdarnit, do we want some Fritos.

Only respite? Sharing the pain in the embedded vid above, and asking y'all to inflict your own personal food ad hell upon us via links in the comments.

Let the healing/revenge begin.

It is a well-known fact that, whether they be made of corn, potato or other variety of vegetable matter, chips aren't a health food. However, they are delicious little buggers and so despite the danger that they present to the waistline, many of us keep on crunching away.

The Frito-Lay company, in an attempt to respond to some of the health concerns related to the high levels of salt in their chips, has recently released a line of chips that they're calling "A Pinch of Salt." They've reduced the level of sodium in several of their most popular chip lines between 30 and 50%.

I had the opportunity to taste chips from the two bags you see above and I must say that I was really impressed by the flavor of both products. While I've never been one to avoid salt due to health concerns, I don't like to eat overly salty foods because while a little salt can enhance flavor, too much of it can mask the natural flavor of the food you're eating. I found when the amount of salt was reduced I could really taste the corn and potato from which the chips were made. Whether you like less salty foods, or are trying to reduce the amount of sodium in your diet, this new line of chips could be a good choice.

My father's college degree is in the History of Country Music (truly). I grew up with a lot of country, bluegrass, folk and other roots music playing in the house. Because of this early childhood conditioning, to this day I am a huge fan of old-timey music. However, I've never had much of a tolerance for currently popular Country music (although, Dolly Parton can do no wrong in my eyes).

So, when a PR person for the Fritos company offered to send me a couple of bags of Tim McGraw's new Spicy Jalapeño Fritos, I was skeptical. I was curious what the chips would taste like (being a lover of all things spicy) but had a scornful reaction that went something along the lines of,"What's a Country music star doing lending his name to chips? Jimmie Rodgers would never have done something like that!" It did nothing to elevate my opinion of current Country music.

However, after tasting the chips, I am forced to admit that they are darn tasty. They aren't actually all that spicy, but they capture the heat and greenness of a jalapeño pepper in a way that is addictive and delicious. And, they can't be that terrible for you, since the Frito was originally invented as a health food!

These chips are currently available in select areas around the country and will be for sale nationwide soon.

No Super Bowl party is complete without the requisite 7-layer Mexican dip. My recipe was handed down to me by an older family friend with the notes "Men love this!" scrawled across it...so hands off, ladies! It serves a large group so you can divide this between two plates. And, please, serve only with Fritos Scoops.  Remember, I take my football food seriously, and just like how you can only serve clam dip with Ruffles, there is just no substitute for Fritos in this recipe.

Walking Taco

Note: There is some debate over the origin of the name (thanks, commenters!). Walking Taco is the name of the recipe given to me.

2 cans of refried beans combined with 1 packet of taco seasoning mix
1 tub of guacamole (e.g. the kind where you mix the salsa in, or make your own)
1 pint of sour cream
2 4 oz. cans diced green chiles (or use one can of jalapeños and one can of green chiles if you want it spicy)
2 4 oz. can of sliced black olives (or a combination of green and black olives)
4 green onions thinly sliced
2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
2/3 pounds of sharp cheddar grated

Divide bean mixture between two plates. Spread guacamole over both plates of beans. Layer remaining ingredients between the two plates. Top both with cheese. Serve cold or at room temp with Fritos Scoops.

[UPDATE] More of Slashfood eating the Super Bowl:

• Pittsburgh Eats Pierogis
• Party Theme: Spanish Tapas
• Chocolate Football Peanut Butter Cupcakes
• To Drink: Touchdown Tea
• Party Theme: Tokyo Touchdown
• Spicy and Sweet Fruit Salsas
• Watch out for fart-inducers
• For the Kids: Ants on a Log
• Seattle Oysters
• Easy Artichoke Dip