So if you have been to Chili’s you know the name Texas fries. It’s great appetizer that comes in a hot cast iron plate cheesy and spicy ….
I started making this at home a little under 2 years ago when money was tight and then I unfortunately (fortunately) was laid off. Since there was no more splurge funds we had to make due with what had and couldn’t get one of our usual Friday or Saturday night meals.
Since I started making it…. this is another simple dish that my family asks for football game food or like today to each with a nice steak.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups of mild cheddar cheese
32 once bag of Ore Ida Crinkle Fries
8oz of Ranch Dressing
16 oz of Bacon
2 tablespoons of jalepenos (more/less as desired)
Oil for your fryer or pan (I used a pan)
Salt for the fries (to taste)
Tools
Deep Fryer or deep pan for frying
Plate
10 inch cast iron pan
Paper towels
Directions
In your fryer (I used my pan this time) place fries in batches. Smaller batches will help it cook quick and to stay crisper.
At the same time on a plate with paper towels add the bacon in strips. Use your microwave and cook on high for 6 minutes or until crispy. This will help get rid of a lot of fat while staying super crispy.
Next grab your cast iron pan, the cheese, ranch and jalepenos. And start layering with cheese, crumbled bacon, and ranch at the bottom. Then adding fries and then layering again cheese, bacon and ranch dressing and this time adding jalepenos spread out over it. Keep layering until the fries run out. On the last layer I add more cheese, bacon , ranch and jalepenos.
Place in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Serve right from the cast iron pan.
Simple, easy and delicious.
This is a very versitile type recipe. If you don’t eat bacon, use turkey bacon or use chicken breast instead or mix the cheese to pepper jack or Monterey Jack and colby. You can use just about any type potato too … Tater tots, wedges, shoestring. The only thing I would not change is the ranch dressing , I have yet to find a better or comperable replacement.
Enjoy !
Ericka
