Loaded Fries

Description

Loaded cheese fries are a popular bar snack throughout the United States, although the origins of this ubiquitous dish are not very clear. Some claim that this dish was inspired by poutine, while the state of Texas and the US cities of Philadelphia, New York and Chicago all claim credit for popularizing this dish. Regardless of its origin story, loaded fries are a versatile dish that can be customized to your taste. The two core ingredients to this dish are French fries and cheese, and whatever else goes on top is up for debate. Below you can find one of the more common, and basic variations of loaded fries that you can find as an appetizer n many bars across the country.

Ingredients

(Serves 2)

• 2 yukon gold potatoes, cut into thin strips

• 2 strips of bacon

• 1 tbsp chopped scallions or chives

• 2 tbsp sour cream

• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

• 2 cups peanut oil

• Salt

Preparation

In non-stick pan, add the bacon strips and cook until they are crispy, about 5-8 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and chop into small pieces.

In a medium sized pot, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the potatoes (in batches if necessary), and fry until they are soft but not completely cooked. Transfer to a rack and allow to cool. Ideally, place the fries in the freezer - this will help with the texture and is also convenient for making French fries in the future.

Heat the oil over high heat and fry the French fries for a second time until they are golden brown on the outside. You may need to do this in batches. Transfer to a bowl lined with paper towels, and immediately season with salt, to taste.

Transfer the cooked fries to a cast-iron skillet and top with the cheddar cheese. Bake for 2-3 minutes at 400 degrees (205 C), or until cheese is melted. Top with the bacon bits, sour cream and chopped scallions. Serve immediately.

Notes

• You can add a variety of toppings to loaded fries, this recipe is just a base. Other topping variations include various meats, jalapeño slices, chopped tomatoes, ranch dressing and more.

• Other dishes such as poutine, disco fries and chili cheese fries are a variation of this dish, but deserve their own separate classification.