Vegetarian Chili Cheese Fries

Makes: 4-6 servings     Prep time: 20 minutes     Cook time: 20 minutes     Total time: 40 minutes

Recipe Note: Vegetarian, Gluten Free

Ingredients

Chili

• 20 ounces frozen fries (waffle, crinkle cut, any kind!)
• ½ cup red onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 15 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup or dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• ½ teaspoon salt

Cheese Sauce

• ¾ cup raw cashews, soaked overnight or in boiling water for 30 minutes, then drained
• 3 tablespoons Sir Kensington’s Avocado Oil Mayo (Link opens in new window.)
• ¾ cup plain/unsweetened non-dairy milk
• 1 clove garlic
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup cheddar or Colby jack cheese shreds, divided
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• ¼ teaspoon paprika

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven according to package instructions on your fries.
2. Dice the onion and add to a large pot with the olive oil. Sauté over medium heat for about 5 minute or until it begins to look translucent.
3. Add in the garlic and diced bell pepper and sauté an additional 5-10 minutes.
4. Add in all remaining ingredients and let simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, cook your fries according to package instructions. It helps to add a few extra minutes since they can lose their crisp once all the toppings are added.
6. While the fries are cooking, add all ingredients for the cheese sauce to a blender, but only ½ cup of cheese.
7. Blend until smooth, add a few more tablespoons of milk at a time as needed to blend.
8. Transfer to a pot on the stove and heat over very low heat and whisk in the final ¼ cup of cheese. Stir frequently until melted. Turn off the heat and set aside.
9. Optional: add 1 cup of the chili to a blender and pulse until you get a somewhat meaty texture. This isn’t necessary, but it deepens the flavors and gives a more classic chili texture. Transfer back to the pot and stir. Taste and adjust flavors as desired, or a bit of cayenne pepper for spice.
10. Once your fries are done, transfer to a dish or skillet (a pie plate works well!) and ladle on the chili. Drizzle on top the cheese sauce and enjoy hot!

Find the original recipe by clicking here. (Link opens in new window.)