RECIPE: Baked Cheddar Cheese Fries With Bacon & Scallions
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October is National American Cheese Month*, so how about some cheese fries, made with a fine American Cheddar†? You don’t even have to fry the potatoes! This easy-to-make dish uses frozen, baked Grown In Idaho crinkle-cut fries. Once they’re golden brown in the oven, top them with shredded sharp cheddar cheese, bacon, scallions, and sour cream (or ranch dressing). Some want theirs with a big squirt of ketchup, others as is. But you may want to make a double batch. These fries will quickly disappear. In addition to National American Cheese Month, September is National Potato Month, April 20th is National Cheddar Fries Day, and National French Fry Day is celebrated annually on the second Friday in July. Below: > Cheese fries recipe with bacon and scallions. > The history of cheese fries. Elsewhere on The Nibble: > The history of French fries. > The different types Of French fries: more than 40! > The different types of potatoes: a photo glossary. > The year’s 30 potato holidays. > The year’s 30 cheese holidays. Ingredients For 4 Servings 1. PREHEAT the oven to 425°F. 2. GREASE a rimmed baking sheet or a large cast-iron skillet with cooking spray. Spread out the crinkle-cut fries in an even layer on the sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until crispy and golden brown. 3. SPRINKLE the fries evenly with the shredded cheese. Bake for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the bacon. 4. DRIZZLE with the sour cream or ranch dressing, then sprinkle with the sliced green onions. Serve immediately with ketchup on the side. |
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THE HISTORY OF CHEESE FRIES For something so recent, the origin of cheese fries is lost to history. What we do know is that the seem to have appeared in the U.S. after Cheez Whiz was introduced in 1952. Yet Dictionary.com dates the phrase as “first recorded in 1970–75.” It’s hard to believe that it took 20 years to make it into print. Snuffer’s in Dallas states their Cheddar fries were “first created in 1978.” While good restaurants today will use good cheese for cheese fries: *American cheese refers to any cheese made in the U.S., the least interesting is the processed, pasteurized “cheese product” (it doesn’t qualify are real cheese) popularized by Kraft. †Cabot Cheddar is a great choice, and comes in 10 varieties, so you can layer on more flavors: Chipotle, Cracked Peppercorn, Everything Bagel, Garlic & Dill, Habanero, Horseradish, Hot Buffalo Wing, Smoky Bacon, Spicy Jack, and Tuscan. See them here. CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM. |
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