Texas Chili Cheese Fries

Ingredients

• 2 packages Seasoned Waffle Fries
• 1 cup grated Mild Cheddar Cheese
• 1 cup grated Colby/Jack Cheese
• 3 Scallions, cleaned and cut into slices
• 1 large Jalapeno Pepper, seeded and cut into slices for garnish (optional)
Ingredients for the Texas-style Chili:
• 2 pounds Ground Beef
• 1 small Yellow Onion, peeled and chopped
• 2 large Garlic Cloves, peeled and diced
• 1 large Jalapeno Pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 tablespoon Ground Chiles (e.g. Ancho powder, Chimayo Powder, etc); I used Mild Chimayo Powder
• 2 teaspoons Oregano
• 2 teaspoons ground Cumin
• ¾ teaspoons ground Coriander
• ½ teaspoon Chipotle Chile Powder
• ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (optional)
• ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 8 ounces Tomato Sauce
• 3 cups Water
• 2 tablespoons Masa Harina

Instructions

Instructions for Texas-Style Chili:
1. In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, place the ground beef and cook over medium-high heat until no red color remains. Stir periodically during cooking, breaking up the meats into small pieces.
2. Add the onions and garlic; stir to combine. Allow to cook 1-2 minutes.
3. Add all the seasonings and spices, tomato sauce, and water (everything except the masa harina). Stir to fully combine. Bring to a boil then reduce temperature to a low simmer and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the masa harina and stir to incorporate. Allow to simmer 20 more minutes.
Instructions for the Chili Cheese Fries:
5. Cook each bag of waffle fries to the package instructions, each bag on a separate baking sheet. If making while the chili is cooking, time the fries to finish when the chili does. If the chili was cooked prior, warm it on the stove over medium heat until warmed through while the fries are cooking.
6. When the fries are done cooking remove them from the oven but leave the oven on. Add the second batch to the first baking sheet spreading the fries to be one layer though they may overlap. Spoon the chili evenly over the fries. Sprinkle with the grated cheese and return to the oven to cook until the cheese is melted (3-4 minutes).
7. When the cheese has melted, remove the baking sheet from the oven, sprinkle with the jalapeno slices and the green onions and serve immediately.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Yield: 5 1/2 cups chili;