I have a bit of a fun recipe to share with you today. Foil Packet Chili Cheese Fries. They are simple to make, dirty no dishes, are easily portable and children love them. Perfect for when you are camping, at home or away. Camping is not something I have done a lot of in my life, but I do love to cook out of doors. Food always tastes better when its cooked and eaten outside. I am not sure why that is, only that it is!
Children just love fun meals like this. They are so simple to do, that the kids can even put them together themselves, and the best part is no washing up afterwards, in fact you can even eat them right out of the foil packet.
You basically only need three ingredients, four if you count the spring onion garnish. Frozen chips (french fries) is the basic ingredient. I like to use the thinner ones as they cook better in the foil. I buy the ones with the skin still on them, I think they are called "rustic" chips.
A can of Chili Con Carne. I use the Stagg Classic one. It is what I like. It has some meat in it and beans and is not too, too spicy. You could also use leftover home-made chili, or a vegetarian one. Whatever floats your boat.
The third ingredient is cheese. I like the flavor of strong cheddar, but you could use jack cheese if you wanted to, or a milder cheddar. Just use whichever cheese you and your family enjoy! Make sure you use a LARGE square of foil for each person. You will have to fit a fair amount into it and you will also want there to be enough room for the air to circulate around the food. Spray it first with some non-stick cooking spray.
The chips go into these and then the foil is folded up around them. Pop them into the oven, onto the campfire or onto the BBQ grill and cook until golden, then open the packets up, divide the chili amongst them, cover them again and pop them into/on for another short period of time, just to heat the chili.
Once the chili is all heated through (it won't take too long) open them up again and pile on the cheese. It should melt pretty quickly, if not, pop back into the oven/onto the grill/campfire just long enough for the cheese to melt.
Scatter on some sliced spring onion and dinner is served. No fuss, no muss. Fun for everyone! One of my favorite memories from my childhood is from going on a Girl Guide Hike and cooking something very similar to this over an open fire. I think it was called Hobo Dinner. It was so good!
You could add sliced hot dogs and make these chili cheese dog fries if you wanted to. The kids would really love that. I would too, as far as that goes. I love hot dogs myself.
Now that the children are on summer holidays they will be really looking forward to spending time outdoors and these make the perfect dish to take with you to the campground or even just into the backyard. Fun for everyone!
*Foil Packet Chili Cheese Fries*Serves 4Printable Recipe
These can be done in the oven or on top of the BBQ. Easy and delicious, children love these. Who doesn't like their own little packet of food!
1 4-serving size bag of frozen chips (french fries)1 (400g) tin of Chili Con Carne (1 pound)(Your favorite kind)120g grated strong cheddar cheese (1 cup)3 or 4 spring onions, trimmed and finely sliced
Take four large squares of heavy duty aluminum foil. Spray them with non-stick cooking spray. Divide the frozen chips between the squares of foil. Bring the foil up to enclose the chips, on top and sides, leaving room for the air to circulate.
If doing in the oven preheat the oven to 220*C/425*F/ gas mark 7. If using the BBQ, warm it until it is moderately hot. If using the oven place the foil packets on a baking tray and pop them into the oven. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes until cooked. If using the BBQ grill, pop them onto the grill and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until cooked.
Open up the packets. Divide the chili between the four packets. Close up again and return to the oven/grill. Cook for a further 5 to 10 minutes until heated through. Open up and top with the cheese. Allow it to melt, then sprinkle with the spring onions and serve.
These are sure to become a summertime/anytime favorite with the family. Almost reminiscent of the portable tacos in a bag that people make using chili and a bag of tortilla chips. I love summer/fun foods, don't you? Bon Appetit!
