American Chili Cheese Fries

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 900 g minced meat (beef)
• 6 slice(s) bacon, cut into thin strips
• 1 large onion(s), red or white, cut into thin rings
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 chili pepper(s) (Habanero pepper), finely chopped, or 2 peppers if necessary
• 250 ml sauce (barbecue sauce) *
• 2 tsp cayenne pepper, approx. 10 g
• 2 tsp chili powder, approx. 10 g
• 2 tsp cumin, approx. 10 g
• 2 tsp paprika powder, approx. 30 g
• 2 tsp brown sugar, approx. 30 g
• 1 tsp pepper, black, approx. 5 g
• 30 g corn flour
• 350 ml beer, dark
• 1,000 g French fries
• some oil for frying
• 400 g cheese (Cheddar), coarsely grated, or medium-aged Gouda as a substitute

Instructions

Working time approx. 15 minutes; Cooking/baking time approx. 1 hour 15 minutes; Total time approx. 1 hour 30 minutes

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground meat and bacon to the pan and cook, crumbling the ground meat. When the ground meat is cooked and nicely browned, add the onion, garlic cloves, and habanero pepper and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the ground meat mixture to a saucepan, then return the pan to the heat. Add the barbecue sauce, spices, brown sugar, pepper, cornmeal, and beer to the ground meat mixture. Stir well and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 1 hour, adding a little more beer or water if necessary. While the chili is simmering, prepare the fries on a baking sheet in the oven according to the package instructions. Remove the chili from the heat and the baking sheet from the oven, pour the chili over the fries, sprinkle with cheese, and place the tray briefly in the hot oven until the cheese has melted. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place the chili cheese fries on deep plates, with the cheese on top. * Bulls Eye Barbecue Sauce, found in my recipes, is a great accompaniment.