Ultimate Spicy Cheese Fries
- 1/2 pound extra-sharp cheddar, grated
- 3 pounds russet potatoes
- 5 Serrano chilies
- frying oil
- coarse salt
- Spread out the grated cheese in a single layer on a silicone liner on a baking sheet.
- If you don't use a silicone liner, youll never fully recover the cheese from your tray.
- Bake at your ovens lowest setting (mine was 175F).
- After about 2-3 hours, youll see a puddle of grease.
- Pull the cheese out and mop up the oil with paper towels not because grease is bad, but because it will keep your cheese from drying properly.
- Bake for another 7-8 hours, for a total of 10 hours.
- If your ovens lowest temp is higher, the time will be reduced, but make sure you keep an eye on it so it doesnt burn.
- Remove the baking sheet and cool for at least 30 minutes, then peel the resulting giant cheese cracker off the silicone liner.
- Break it into bits small enough to fit into a spice grinder, and pulse until you have a nice powder, just a few seconds.
- Feel free to keep any extra around in the fridge in a tightly sealed container.
- Itll last as long as regular cheddar, if not a bit longer because its been dehydrated.
- Cut the serranos into thin slices, add to a screaming hot skillet with some neutral oil (vegetable, peanut, canola, etc.)
- and cook until browned on the edges.
- Remove from heat, drain excess oil and set aside.
- Cut your fries (about 1/4-1/3 inch thick) and put them in a nonreactive bowl full of cold water.
- Let them soak for about an hour, then remove and dry well with a clean dish towel.
- Set your fryer to about 325F (or use a thermometer with a heavy-bottomed, high-sided pan).
- Cook for about 5 minutes, turning a few times if youre using a pan instead of a fryer.
- Take the fries out, drain on paper towels and cool for a few minutes.
- They wont look ready yet thats because youre about to fry them again.
- Turn the heat up to 375F, and once hot enough, put the fries back in for another 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Toss with the cheddar powder, salt, and serranos, and serve immediately.
cheddar, russet potatoes, serrano chilies, frying oil, salt
Taken from www.foodrepublic.com/recipes/ultimate-spicy-cheese-fries-recipe/ (may not work)