Some of the best family meals aren't fancy.
They're messy.
They're piled high.
And everyone makes theirs a little differently.
That's exactly why we love Frito chili pie night.
It is easy enough for a weeknight, fun enough for a casual get-together, and practically designed for gathering around a table.
Start With a Big Pot of Chili
Start with Stockyards Texas Chili Simmer Sauce from Garnish & Gather. Its rich tomato and layered chile flavor give you a hearty base with medium heat, ready to make your own.
Cook your chosen meat, or combine cooked beans with sautéed fresh onions, bell peppers, and other vegetables. Stir in the simmer sauce, adjust the liquid to suit your chili recipe, and simmer to your preferred consistency. Follow your recipe for ingredient amounts and cooking times.
Then comes the fun part.
Put everything on the table and let everyone build their own bowl.
Build the Garnish & Gather Chili Pie Bar
Start with crunchy corn chips and hot chili.
Then set out bowls of:
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Shredded cheddar
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Sour cream
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Chopped green onions
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Diced onions
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Jalapeños
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Avocado
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Cilantro
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Tomatoes
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Lettuce
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Lime wedges
And, of course, put a jar of Garnish & Gather Stockyards Smoked Jalapeño Salsa right in the middle.
A generous spoonful of salsa adds freshness and another layer of tomato, pepper, and garden flavor to a rich bowl of chili.
Want even more flavor?
Try a drizzle of warm Stockyards BBQ Sauce over the top for a smoky-sweet twist.
Make It a Gathering
Frito chili pie is one of those meals that works just as well for four people as it does for fourteen.
Set everything out buffet-style for:
Game night.
Football season.
Birthday parties.
Casual family dinners.
Camping weekends.
Neighborhood get-togethers.
Or those nights when everyone seems to arrive at your house hungry.
Nobody has to eat exactly the same thing.
One person can pile on cheese.
Someone else wants extra salsa.
One wants nothing but chili and chips.
And somehow everybody ends up happy.
Add Something Fresh
Balance the chili with a big green salad, fresh fruit, or a tray of vegetables.
A jar of Garnish & Gather pickled vegetables also makes a bright, tangy addition to the table.
For dessert, keep the gathering going with warm biscuits, pound cake, or cheesecake served with one of our fruit preserves.
The Best Meals Invite Participation
There is something special about meals people get to build themselves.
Instead of simply serving dinner, you create an experience.
Bowls start moving around the table.
Someone asks for the cheese.
Someone passes the salsa.
Someone inevitably builds a chili pie far too tall.
And somewhere in all that passing, piling, talking, and laughing, dinner becomes a memory.
That is what Garnish & Gather is all about.
Not complicated food.
Good food shared with good people.