Emeril's Beef Chili Cheese Fries

A great Super Bowl or teen party snack (or a hearty nosh for anyone)! Make the chili ahead of time, then just dish it up on some cheesy fries and serve! Emeril's original recipe calls for deep-frying shoestring potatoes yourself, but I use the frozen-fry shortcut! I also seemed to need more masa harina than originally called for. Can also be made with vegetarian meat crumbles. Cook time includes chili preparation.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons  vegetable oil
• 2  cups  chopped yellow onions
•  salt
•  cayenne
• 2  lbs ground beef
• 1  tablespoon chili powder
• 2  teaspoons ground cumin
•  crushed red pepper flakes
• 2  teaspoons dried oregano leaves
• 2  tablespoons  chopped garlic
• 3  cups  canned diced tomatoes
• 2  tablespoons tomato paste
• 3  cups beef broth
• 3 -4  tablespoons masa harina flour
• 1 (1/2lb) bag frozen french fries or 1 (1/2lb) bag waffle-shaped French fries
• 1⁄2 lb  grated cheddar cheese
• 1⁄2 lb  grated monterey jack cheese
• 1  cup sour cream
• 1⁄2 cup  sliced  pickled jalapeno pepper

Directions

1. Season onions with salt and cayenne and saute, stirring, until they begin to wilt, about 2 minutes.
2. Add the beef, chili powder, cumin, red pepper, and oregano, season with salt and cayenne, and cook until meat is done (no pink).
3. Add garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste and 2-1/2 cups beef stock, bring to boil and reduce heat to medium-low.
4. Simmer uncovered about 1 hour, stirring occasionally and skimming fat that rises to the surface.
5. Combine masa harina flour with remaining 1/2 cup stock.
6. Slowly add to the pot, stirring to blend, which will thicken the mixture.
7. Cook for 30 minutes and correct seasoning.
8. From here, Emeril deep fries his own shoestring French fries, but I use frozen French fries or waffle fries to save time (and mess!).
9. Prepare frozen potatoes as package directs.
10. Lower oven heat to 400 degrees F, place fries in bottom of a large glass rectangular baking dish.
11. Sprinkle cheeses over the fries and bake for 3 to 4 minutes.
12. Remove pan from oven and spoon hot chili over the top of the fries.
13. Garnish with sour cream and jalapeños and serve immediately.