Chili Dog Cheese Fries

Tucson, AZ

Aside from all things pumpkin and pie related (I seriously have a problem with all the pumpkin pie I've been eating!) , October is a very inspiring month for cooking.  I joke that it feels like fall here in Tucson, but after the hottest summer I've ever experienced, like over 100º every day since friggin' May! The upper 80ºs are truly refreshing.  Like a crisp autumn day, haha.

One of the first things I start to think about in the fall is a big pot of  chili.  My chili recipe has changed many many times in the past few years.  This one is my newest recipe.  It is kind of a comfort food extravaganza, and is straying a little from my usual food rules, as it is not completely from scratch.  BUT what if I used (veg) hotdogs as the "meat" in my chili?  Answer: Chili dog chili.  So now, what if I want to take it a couple of gluttonous steps further, and put it on fries?  With cheese?  Boom.  Chili Dog Cheese Fries.

Chili Dog Cheese Fries

These homemade, oven-roasted, fries are delicious on their own, so be sure to give them a try!

For the Fries:
Kid Friendly, Vegan, Gluten free (the fries only, not the chili)
serves 4

6 yukon gold potatoes
2 Tbsp olive oil
½ -1 tsp sea salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp garlic powder

Preheat oven to 425º.  Peel and cut potatoes into shoestring fry shape. In a bowl or plastic bag, coat fries with oil and all seasonings.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.  ( For an RV oven, half the recipe, or bake each sheet separately.)  Spread fries in a single layer on the parchment lined baking sheet.  Bake 30 minutes, turning fries every 10 minutes.

For the Chili Dog Chili:
Kid Friendly, Vegan
serves 4

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped (optional)
4 vegan hotdogs*, chopped small
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp liquid smoke
1 can kidney or black beans, drained and rinsed
2 plum tomatoes, diced
½ tsp sea salt (or to taste)
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
1 cup Daiya** cheddar

*Vegan hotdogs can be easily found in most grocery stores, usually in the refrigerated part of the produce section.

**Daiya is a brand of vegan cheese.  You can sub with any vegan cheese of choice.  I like Daiya because it is non GMO, it melts, and tastes better than most store bought vegan cheeses.

In a large nonstick pan, heat oil over med high heat.  Sauté onion for 5 minutes.  Add peppers, hotdogs, chili powder, and liquid smoke.  Sauté another 5 minutes.  Add beans, tomatoes, salt, paprika, and garlic powder.  Sauté another 5 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the cheese until it melts.

Spoon chili over fries, and garnish with cilantro and more cheese if you like.