What is with all of this cold weather, and where is spring? I almost stepped out in front of a car the other day because my ear warmer limits my sight range.

So, basically, I risk being hit by a car or freezing to death if I decide to leave my class. How low does the wind chill have to be for this school to cancel class anyway?

If you all are anything like me, your first priority when you arrive home from class is defrosting … yourself.

So, I figure, what’s better for warming you up on a chilly day than chili?

The answer — Frito Pie.

Plain chili is okay, but when it isn’t on something or dressed somehow it’s really just a bowl of potential.

In Frito Pie, the addition of cheese and corn chips adds just the right amount of zing.

Amazingly, this dish can be either really greasy and fatty, or just mildly indulgent. I will give the possible variations in the ingredient section.

If you would like, you are welcome to e-mail me to inquire about a slow-cooker recipe for homemade chili to use in this mix — or you can just find your can-opener and have it ready in 5 minutes.

Note: Making chili from scratch is a really easy way to procrastinate from studying.

Frito Pie
Servings: 2
Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:

Two cans of chili (15 oz. cans)

For full fat — beef or pork with beans. Low fat — turkey with beans. Vegetarian — meatless chili (If you really hate beans, go with beanless chili).

1 to 2 cups of cheddar cheese — fat free, 2 percent or regular.

One regular-size bag of Fritos.

Directions:

Heat chili in the microwave according to instructions on the can — usually about 3-5 minutes and make sure to cover it.

Remove chili from the microwave, stir and taste to make sure it is heated all the way through.

In two bowls, sprinkle about half of your Fritos (one-fourth bag per bowl or as much as you want) and half of your desired amount of cheese.

Top your chips and cheese with your prepared chili.

Sprinkle the rest of your Fritos and cheese over the top of the chili.

Eat up and warm up.

Aside from warming you up, this recipe is also supplies your body with plenty of fiber.

Fiber is great for lowering your cholesterol and aiding in digestion.

My mom used to make this for my sister and I whenever it was cold outside. I think the Fritos made it more exciting than chicken soup — another cold day favorite.

Besides, beans have little sing-songs that go along with them, and I don’t remember chicken soup being honored in rhymes by my friends in elementary school.

What was that one about beans again?

– Katie Englisby is a senior in speech communication. Dawg Food is a recipe column appearing weekly. E-mail your recipe ideas to (variety@randb.com).