What to grab (and what to leave on the shelf)
🌽 The Fritos Secret
Fritos (1 bag): Original only (not “popped”). Must be frozen solid (not room temp—melts into mush). Wet chips = steamed betrayal.
Critical prep: Place directly from freezer to pan (not thawed—soggy disaster). Frozen = perfect crunch.
Why Original? Aunt Bea’s rule: “Popped chips = surrender. Fritos = hope.”
🥩 The Meat Trinity
Ground beef (1½ lbs): 80/20 fat ratio—leaner = dry casserole. Must be chilled (not room temp—melts into grease).
Onion (⅓ large): Vidalia only (not white). Must be soaked 10 mins in cold water (reduces sharpness).
Green chilies (1 can): Hatch only (not “mild”). Must be hand-diced (not pre-cut—oxidized = flat flavor).
🧀 The Cream Wisdom
Cream cheese (2 oz): Philadelphia only. Low-fat = gluey disaster. Must be room temp (cold = lumpy texture).
Enchilada sauce (15 oz): Old El Paso only (not “homestyle”). Must be undrained—liquid = flavor gold.
Shredded cheese (1 bag): Sharp white block-cut (not pre-shredded!). Pre-shredded = wax-coated tragedy.
🌿 The Garnish Foundation
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