By Guest Cooking Columnist Charles Fortson, Jr.
French fries are a classic summer picnic and cookout staple. There are many ways to make them come alive, but this recipe turns them into a hardy meal that will be central to your backyard get-together and save you money as well because you won’t have to prepare as many other dishes.
Ingredients:
Irish red potatoes to make enough French Fries for the number of people you are serving.
Nacho cheese in a can
Chile sauce. I recommend preparing with McCormick’s mild chili mix. You will need two packages. Follow directions minus beans as an ingredient.
Salt & pepper
½ finely chopped head of lettuce
1 large finely chopped tomato
Ranch dressing
Directions:
1. Follow instructions for making chili sauce from McCormick’s mix. Set aside after cooking.
2. Prepare French Fry slices from whole Irish red potatoes. Soak in water for at least one hour for soft Fries. Fry them until light golden brown.
3. After Fries are cooked, lightly salt and pepper while tossing them.
4. Place cooked Fries in bowl.
5. Pour thin layer of chili sauce over Fries.
6. Drizzle nacho cheddar cheese over chili sauce.
7. Lightly place lettuce on top of cheese and tomatoes on lettuce.
8. Drizzle Ranch dressing over top.
It’s a hardy meal, and chances are your cookout guests won’t come back for seconds, but they’ll return to your next backyard event for more. You can count on that!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Charles Fortson, Jr., is proprietor-chef at Uncle Ray’s across from Lake Lincoln State Park. He makes lunches and dinners to take out or for table service, while also operating a convenience store and bait shop at his Sunset Road location. Follow his cooking tips on Uncle Ray’s Facebook page or call 601-643-0174 to check on his daily specials.
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