With all the chaos in the capitol, another less-noticed issue has arisen in the Land of Enchantment.
Call it a mountain out of a mole hill, tempest in a teapot or Frito Pie Flap. This comes courtesy of Russell Contreras at the Associated Press' New Mexico Bureau.
Anthony Bourdain, host of CNN's "Parts Unknown," has offended some in that state by reportedly saying the Frito pie served at the Five and Dime General Store in Santa Fe isn't really all that.
The dish consists of a bed of Fritos corn chips covered with beans-and-meat chili and is a local favorite.
Bourdain's advice is to "let Texas have this one."
Gustavo Arrelano from the OC Weeklysays the recipe does come from Texas, created by the daughter of Fritos founder Elmer Doolin.
The original Fritos chip recipe reportedly came from a Oaxacan immigrant.
The manager of the Five and Dime in Santa Fe says during Bourdain's taping he was pleasant and friendly and appeared to enjoy the Frito pie. His restaurant bears no hard feelings to the show host.
Bourdain himself speaks kindly of his meal. "Contrary to the impression left by some reports of the show, I, in fact, very much enjoyed my Frito pie," he said in a statement.
A Mexican chip leads to a Texas recipe that was popularized in New Mexico: this could be as good an example of cuisine assimilation as you can find.
