Chili cheese fries, fries with chili and cheese. Not something you’ll easily find in the Netherlands. I probably came across this dish through Instagram or pinterest.
I wasn’t totally convinced as some photo’s of this dish looked quite questionable. But as a queen of fries, I just had to try it.
- Ingredients for 4-6 servings of chili:
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 clove of garlic chopped or grated
- 250 gr ground beef or half beef half pork
- 1 small can tomato puree (70gr)
- 1 can of black beans (400gr)
- 1 can of corn (300gr)
- 1/2 ts cumin
- 1 1/2 ts paprika powder (not smoked)
- Chili powder or flakes to taste
- 500 gr passata (strained tomatoes)
- 1/2 cup of water or stock
- Salt and pepper
- Freshly grated young matured cheese
- 1 or 2 green onions cut into rings
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Freshly fried or baked fries
Take a pot for stewing and soften the onion in a bit of oil. Add the garlic and ground meat. Brown and loose the meat until nicely colored and all moisture has evaporated.
Fry the tomato puree along with the meat to fry off the sourness. Add the strained beans and corn. Season with the cumin, paprika and chili flakes.
Allow the spices to heat through and add the passata and water or stock. I used a bit of chicken stock. Finish with salt and pepper and let the chili slowly simmer for about an hour with the lid ajar.
Stir once in a while and cover with the lid if too much moisture evaporates. You can make this chili well in advance.
Finish the fries, grate the cheese and cut the green onions into rings.
Spread the fries over the plate and cover which as much chili, cheese and onions as you wish.
I have to say I was a bit skeptical about this dish. I wasn’t a big fan of beans as a kid and I don’t often eat cheese. This dish is delicious though. A mildly spicy sauce with soft creamy melting cheese and fries that absorb some of the sauce.. heaven!
You could top it off with a bit of sour cream, but for me it’s not really necessary.
