Randy Chandler
Cheese fries are a delicious snack, side, or midnight treat that can be made with frozen or homemade French fries. The best frozen fries for cheese fries are crispy, thick, and able to hold up under the weight of the toppings. Steak fries, crinkle-cut fries, and wedges are good options. Homemade fries are easy to make and only require a couple of russet potatoes, olive oil, and seasoning. For cheese sauce, shredded cheddar, sharp cheddar, or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella are popular choices. To add some Mexican flair, swap the cheese sauce for white queso, poblano queso, or Rotel dip. Cheese fries can be topped with bacon, green onions, and parsley, and served with ranch dressing, sour cream, or brown gravy on the side.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheese varieties | 3-6 types of cheese |
| Cheese types | Brie, Camembert, Cheddar, Feta, Mozzarella, Goat Cheese, St. Andre, Manchego, Gouda, Blue Cheese, Stilton |
| Presentation | Use a large board or platter, with one ingredient in the center and four in each corner |
| Accompaniments | Crackers, Breads (Baguette, Pita, Naan Flatbread, Bread Sticks), Fruits (Dates, Apples, Pears, Raspberries, Figs, Apricots), Condiments (Pesto, Olive Tapenade, Jam, Honey, Marmalade), Nuts (Almonds, Pecans, Spiced Nuts), Meat (Italian cured meats, Prosciutto) |
| Amount per person | 1-2 ounces of cheese, 1-2 ounces of meat |
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What You'll Learn
Cheese sauce vs. shredded cheese
When it comes to cheese, there are endless possibilities for what to serve alongside it or incorporate it into. A cheese board is a great way to kick off a party or serve as an appetizer. A typical cheese board consists of a variety of cheeses, meats, and accompaniments like hummus, olives, and crackers. When selecting cheeses, consider different shapes and varieties, such as Greek feta, cheddar, and brie.
Now, let's delve into the topic of cheese sauce versus shredded cheese. Both have their unique advantages and applications. Cheese sauce is a versatile condiment that can be easily made at home with just a few ingredients, such as butter, flour, milk, and shredded cheese. It serves as an excellent substitute for store-bought cheese sauces like Velveeta. Cheese sauce pairs well with vegetables, nachos, macaroni, and even pizza. The sauce is simple to prepare and can be used as a topping or mixed directly into dishes.
On the other hand, shredded cheese is preferred in various culinary applications due to its faster melting time and uniform coverage. When shredded, the cheese is exposed to more moisture, facilitating even melting and preventing clumping. This makes it ideal for dishes like pizza, where even melting and coverage are desired. Shredded cheese is also commonly used in sandwiches, although slices might be preferred to avoid messiness.
While shredded cheese is convenient for melting and coverage, cheese slices or chunks have their place in certain dishes. For deep-dish pizzas or sandwiches, slices or chunks are better as they have a longer melting time and provide the desired texture. Additionally, when it comes to sandwiches, cheese slices are more convenient as shredded cheese may burn the bread during the melting process. Ultimately, the choice between cheese sauce and shredded cheese depends on the specific dish and the desired outcome in terms of flavour, texture, and presentation.
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Homemade vs. frozen fries
There are many options for what to serve with cheese, and it depends on the occasion. If you're looking for a simple snack to tide you over, cheese and crackers are a classic pairing that never gets old. For something a bit more special, or if you're looking to serve a group of people, a cheese board is a great option. To build a cheese board, start with a large wooden board or serving platter and select one ingredient to place in the center, such as a bowl of hummus or another dip. Then, choose four other ingredients to place in each of the corners of the board, such as a round of brie, a square of aged cheddar, a bowl of olives, and a bowl of feta. From there, fill in the gaps with additional cheeses, meats, and accompaniments. If you want to serve something more substantial, such as a burger, fries can be a great side dish.
When it comes to fries, you may be considering whether to make them from scratch or to opt for the convenience of frozen fries. There are a few things to consider when deciding between homemade and frozen fries. One factor is taste. Many people prefer the taste of homemade fries because they can be customized to your preferred size and level of crispiness. Frozen fries are often par-boiled before freezing, which can affect their texture. However, some people find the convenience of frozen fries worth sacrificing some taste for. Frozen fries can be popped onto a cookie sheet and tossed in the oven, requiring minimal preparation time.
Another factor to consider is health. While both homemade and frozen fries are fried, many brands of frozen fries use trans fats and palm oil, which are not ideal for heart health. Frozen fries also tend to have high levels of sodium, with at least 15% of the daily recommendation of sodium per serving. However, making your own frozen fries allows you to control the ingredients and ensure they are cooked in a healthier oil, such as olive oil. Freezing your own fries also allows you to control the portion size, as you can take out only what you need and store the rest for later.
In terms of cost, homemade fries can be more economical, especially if you buy potatoes in bulk. However, frozen fries can also be a budget-friendly option, as they often come in large bags that can be stored in the freezer for up to six months. Ultimately, the decision between homemade and frozen fries comes down to personal preference, how much time you have, and your health and budget considerations.
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Toppings: bacon, green onions, and more
Bacon is a classic topping for cheese fries, adding a crunchy texture and smoky flavour. You can fry up some bacon and crumble it on top, or use real bacon bits or pre-cooked bacon for convenience.
Green onions are another popular choice, adding a fresh, tangy flavour that cuts through the richness of the cheese and bacon. They are also reminiscent of potato skins, making them a perfect pairing with fries.
If you're looking for even more toppings, you can try ground beef, browned sausage, or taco meat. Diced tomatoes, sliced jalapenos, avocado, burger sauce, or even a big scoop of leftover chilli can also be delicious additions. For a Mexican twist, swap the cheese sauce for white queso, poblano queso, or Rotel dip, and top with pico de gallo, shredded chicken, or roasted corn.
Don't forget to serve your loaded cheese fries with a side of sour cream and homemade ranch for dipping!
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Dipping sauces: ranch, sour cream, and buffalo sauce
Cheese fries are a delicious snack, side, or midnight treat. They are a crowd-pleaser, perfect for game day or a party. While cheese fries are tasty on their own, they can be even better when served with a dipping sauce or two.
Ranch dressing is a popular choice to serve with cheese fries. It can be served on the side for dipping or drizzled over the top. Sour cream also works well as a dipping sauce and is often served alongside ranch. If you want to spice things up, buffalo sauce is a great option. This was a suggestion on a recipe website, where the chef chose to dip their cheese fries in buffalo sauce instead of ranch dressing.
You can also get creative and make your own dipping sauces. For example, you could make a cheese sauce by melting butter and whisking in flour until a thick paste forms. Then, slowly pour in milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture is thickened and bubbly. Finally, add cheese by the handful and whisk until smooth after each addition.
Cheese fries are a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit your taste preferences. Whether you prefer ranch, sour cream, buffalo sauce, or something else entirely, don't be afraid to experiment with different dipping sauces to find your perfect combination.
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Customisations: Mexican flair, extra spices, and more
If you're looking to add some Mexican flair to your cheese dish, consider using Mexican cheeses such as Queso Fresco, Oaxaca, Cotija, Manchego, Panela, or Queso Chihuahua. These cheeses can be melted, fried, or used as toppings to add a sharp, salty, or crumbly texture to your dish. For example, you could make Mexican loaded fries by loading seasoned fries with black beans, capsicum, and Oaxaca cheese, then topping them with chopped cilantro, jalapenos, and a squeeze of lime. Serve with a lime or spicy yoghurt sauce for dipping.
For extra spice, try adding some chilli powder, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to your cheese dish. You could also experiment with different types of pepper, such as bell peppers, mini peppers, or jalapenos, which will add a colourful and flavourful kick. If you're making a fondue, you can add extra spices like nutmeg, black pepper, or garlic powder to enhance the flavour.
If you want to get creative, try adding some unique ingredients to your cheese dish. For fondue, meatballs, broccoli, potatoes, apples, pears, or pretzels could be unexpected but tasty additions. If you're making cheese fritters, you could experiment with adding different types of cheese, such as Swiss or Gruyere, or trying out different toppings, such as jam or confectioners' sugar.
Lastly, don't be afraid to experiment with different types of bread to dip into your fondue or to serve alongside your cheese dish. In addition to French bread or baguette, you could try gluten-free bread, croutons, or breadsticks.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese fries are commonly topped with bacon and green onions. Other toppings include ground beef, sausage, taco meat, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapenos, avocado, burger sauce, sour cream, and brown gravy.
Cheddar is the most commonly used cheese for cheese fries, but mozzarella, pepper jack, Swiss, Colby jack, American, and Monterey jack are also good options. For a Mexican twist, use queso.
Cheese fries are a hearty snack on their own, but they also go well with burgers and sandwiches.
Frozen fries are a good option if you're short on time, but homemade fries are also an excellent choice and are very simple to make.
