Recipe #7: Carne Asada Fries!

First of all, I'd like to give a shoutout to all my pears! Just kidding, but I would like to give a shout out to my mentorship at Cantina Grill Restaurant for teaching me how to create this very delicious plate. 

While first learning how to cook behind the kitchen and stoves of Cantina Grill, my favorite recipe to watch and help create was the Carne Asada Fries. It isn't that hard to create this delicious American-Mexican combination and maybe you too can try this recipe out as well!

(Prep Time: 20-30 minutes       Cook Time: 10-15 minutes      Servings: One Plate- about 2 people)

Ingredients:

• 3 handfuls or about 4-5 ounces of Fries (Oven-Ready can be easier to make but home-made or freshly-fried fries taste better)
• 2-3ounces of Carne Asada (pre-marinated)
• 1/2 cup of refried beans
• 1/3 cup of Chopped Tomatoes
• 1/4 cup of Chopped Onions
• Cheese, mixed blend, shredded (your choice on how much to add)
• Sour Cream
• Guacamole
• Cilantro

Tools:

• Wooden Spoon
• Butcher or carving knife
• Cook's/Chef's knife
• Grill or griddle for cooking Asada
• Small serving spoon, even a tablespoon
• small cutting board

Directions:

-Fries:

• Oven-Ready: Set oven to 450 and cook for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown
• Frying: Place fries in a deep fryer or in a skillet with oil for about 5-8 minutes at 350 degrees. When cooked, dab with paper towel to absorb excess oil

Asada:

• Place your Asada onto a grill or griddle at medium heats until charring begins to form on end, about 5 minutes per side

Preparation:

• Using the cutting board and a chef's knife, dice up your tomatoes, onions, and cilantro for garnishing.
• Fresh Guacamole can be made (later recipe) while waiting for the fries to cook or the asada to grill
• Fry up a can of refried beans or refry a skillet of beans from an meal earlier that weak

Assembly:

1. Layer your fries into a flat layer on the plate, then drizzle beans across the top of the fries (even layers=even bites)
2. Using a butcher knife, chop up the carne asada into small cutlets and evenly disperse the cutlets over the beans.
3. Apply generous helpings of cheese across the plate (the more the better, I always say!)
4. Though I would recommend the oven or an overhead broiler, microwaving actually works okay in this case. Microwave the plate until the cheese has begun to melt onto the beans, fries, and asada.
5. Garnish the fries with your chopped tomatoes and onions and top with chopped cilantro
6. Layer on guacamole and sour cream for a creamy dip atop your fries 
7. Ta-da, one delicious plate of Asada-Fries!

Tips:

• These fries don't have to just be Carne Asada! Pollo Asada, Carnitas, Pastor, and all other Mexican grilled meats taste delicious with beans, cheese, and fries!