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Cook the Book: Jalapeño Cheese Fries

Posted by Ed Levine, May 10, 2007 at 5:00 PM

Here's the penultimate recipe of the week from Robb Walsh's Texas Cowboy Cookbook. This is a "quintessential Texas side dish," Robb says, "that combines classic American fries with Tex-Mex chile con queso and jalapeños." Make sure to bookmark this recipe so you have it handy; you can serve it alongside tomorrow's tenderloin.

Jalapeño Cheese Fries
- serves 4 -

Ingredients
2 pounds russet potatoes

2 1/2 cups peanut oil

2 jalapeños, seeded and sliced

1 onion, sliced

Salt

1 cup Chile con Queso (recipe follows), or sub in one 15-ounce jar of Cheez Whiz

1/4 cup pickled jalapeño slices

Procedure
1. Peel the potatoes; cut into 1/2-inch sticks. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Pour the oil into a 12-inch skillet; add potatoes, packing them tight until the cold oil almost covers them.

2. Turn on heat to medium; cook potatoes, shaking pan to keep them from sticking, until they start to turn a pale golden color, about 10 minutes. Quit shaking pan; cook 8 to 10 minutes more. Sprinkle the jalapeños evenly over top of potatoes. Wait 3 minutes, then do the same with the sliced onion.

3. Raise heat to medium-high; start turning potatoes, constantly moving them around to promote even browning. Continue until potatoes are golden brown. Drain and place on a wire rack. Sprinkle with salt.

4. Divide evenly among four bowls; drizzle each with desired amount of Chile con Queso. Garnish with pickled jalapeño slices, and serve immediately.

Chile con Queso
- makes about 2 cups -

Ingredients
1 pound Velveeta cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes

1 can Ro-tel tomatoes

Procedure
Place Velveeta and Ro-tel in a slow cooker or double boiler, and cook until Velveeta is melted. (You can also use a microwave to prepare this, but a slow cooker keeps the dip warm.)

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Tags: CTB: Texas Cowboy Cookbook, fries, home fries, jalapeños, Robb Walsh, Serious Recipes, Texan