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What Are Cheese Fries?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

The fast food dish cheese fries can refer to any number of variations of the same two basic ingredients. All of the different takes on the dish include French fried potatoes and cheese, but the forms and additions can vary widely. The cheese used to top French fried potatoes may be crumbled, grated or a sauce of American, Swiss, cheddar or another variety. The fries may be homemade or the frozen commercial type and cut in any number of thicknesses and textures. Cooked bacon, beans, chili, ranch dressing and gravy are popular toppings tcombined with the cheese, but the chosen additions will depend mainly on the culture and/or traditions of a geographic area.

The basic French Canadian version of cheese fries is poutine, which is made with cheddar curds and a peppered beef gravy. The gravy mixes with the curd cheese to form a messy, yet delicious sauce over hot French fries. Poutine does have different variations, but the gravy and curd cheese are staple in the dish, which is especially associated with Montreal, Canada.

French-Canadian poutines are topped with cheddar cheese curds.
French-Canadian poutines are topped with cheddar cheese curds.

In some versions of this dish, a cheese sauce rather than crumbled or grated cheeses may be used. It starts with a white sauce, or French roux, which is made by melting butter and stirring in flour before adding milk. The milk must be cooked over lower heat so as not to curdle it. When the sauce is thick and smooth, it can be removed from the heat and grated or crumbled cheese may be added. Some cooks who prepare a sauce for cheese fries like to add a little tomato sauce to it, while others prefer it as is or to top it with bacon, beans, chili or ranch style dressing at serving time.

Potatoes are one of the two mainstay ingredients in cheese fries.
Potatoes are one of the two mainstay ingredients in cheese fries.

French fries for any version of the dish are usually prepared as they always would be and ready to serve hot. Some cooks like to then add the cheese and place the dish under the broiler for a few minutes. Cooks rarely add any type of vegetables since cheese fries is a fast food dish, but sliced green onions are popular to add both flavor and color. In areas where Mexican foods are popular, cooks may add a little spice to the dish by sprinkling on chopped jalapeno peppers. A popular Italian-themed take on this dish is to use pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Discussion Comments

Heavanet

@talentryto- If you like the taste of potatoes with cheese, you should try cheesy mashed potatoes. You can make this dish with real potatoes or the instant mashed kind, and simply add some of your favorite cheese. It gives you the satisfaction of cheese and potatoes with less grease and fat.

Spotiche5

@talentryto- You have the right idea to try to make positive changes to your diet. Too much fat and grease is not good for you, and cheese fries have plenty of both.

If you want the taste of cheesy potatoes without the calories that cheese fries have, you should try roasting potatoes and sprinkling them with low-fat cheese. This is a satisfying dish that will fulfill you craving for cheese and potatoes in a healthier way.

To make roasted cheesy potatoes, start by cutting fresh potatoes into cubes or slices. Baste them with a little bit of olive oil, and roast them in your oven at about 350 degrees Fahrenheit until they are soft and golden brown. When you remove them from the oven, sprinkle them with your favorite type of low-fat cheese before serving them. This is a dish that you can use as a snack, a side or a main course that is sure to please.

Talentryto

I'm looking for a healthy option instead of cheese fries. I'm trying to cut calories and fat in my diet, and though I love the taste of cheese fries, I know that are not a wise choice for anyone who wants to eat a healthful diet.

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    • French-Canadian poutines are topped with cheddar cheese curds.
      By: Bert Folsom
      French-Canadian poutines are topped with cheddar cheese curds.
    • Potatoes are one of the two mainstay ingredients in cheese fries.
      By: anjelagr
      Potatoes are one of the two mainstay ingredients in cheese fries.
    • French fries form the base of cheese fries.
      By: ilolab
      French fries form the base of cheese fries.
    • Cheese fries may be topped with chili.
      By: Fotocat4
      Cheese fries may be topped with chili.