Mexifries
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Just when you thought it was safe to go to the potluck ...
In the late 80's, midwesterners called Tabasco sauce on tater tots Mexifries. Let's rewrite history, shall we?
🧰 Ingredients
🔹 Base
- 1 bag thick-cut steak fries (frozen or fresh-cut) (Two bags of tater tots can substitute. Or you can mix and match if you are feeling particularly kinky.)
- Olive oil, salt
🔹 Chili Layer
- ½ lb ground beef
- ½ small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 small can Chipotle chilis
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- Salt to taste
- Optional: ½ cup finely chopped mushrooms
🔹 Cheese Layer
- 1½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack)
🔹 Guacamole
- 2 ripe avocados
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp finely diced red onion
- 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
🔹 Sour Cream
- ½ cup sour cream
- Optional: mix with lime zest or chipotle powder
🔹 Chunky Salsa-Tomato Hybrid
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
- Juice of ½ lime or lemon
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ habanero pepper, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
🔹 Garnish Zone
- 2 tbsp sliced black olives
- 2 tbsp pickled jalapeños
- 2 tbsp crumbled queso fresco
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions
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🔧 Instructions
1. Bake the Fries
- Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).
- Toss fries with olive oil and a pinch of salt.
- Bake 5 minutes longer than package instructions until deep golden and crisp.
2. Make the Chili
- In a skillet, sauté onion and garlic in oil until fragrant.
- Add spices.
- Add ground beef and brown thoroughly.
- Add tomato paste to a bare area of the pan, cook until paste darkens.
- Add can of Chipotle Chiles all including sauce and stir.
- Stir in kidney beans (and mushrooms if using), simmer to meld flavors. Salt to taste. It's done when the chili is thickened.
3. Build the Stack
- Spread hot fries on a sheet pan or serving dish.
- Spoon chili evenly over fries.
- Sprinkle cheese over chili. If chili is not warm, 3 minutes at 400 convection in oven.
4. Add Cold Layers
- Dollop guacamole over melted cheese.
- Swirl or spoon sour cream across the top.
- Spoon chunky salsa mixture generously over everything.
5. Garnish
- Sprinkle olives, pickled jalapeños, queso fresco, and green onions.
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🧠 Serving Tips
- Serve hot with a wide spatula or fork.
- Optional: modular garnish tray for guests to customize.
- Pair with cold drinks and a sense of humor.
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This is snack architecture with attitude. Want to mock up a retro menu card or write a campy backstory for the dish next?
