Fries

There aren’t many of us who wouldn’t be happy to eat chips all the time.

These delicious recipes that make use of regular frozen chips with every meal. We’re talking real-life cooking with chips, not merely dunking them in tomato sauce or salsa.

From crispy fish and chips to vegetarian chilli and fries, we’ve pulled together some seriously mouth-watering ideas that prove that chips – homemade or frozen – can be turned into the most delicious meals.

1. Steak and Chips

What’s not to love about steak and chips? It’s a crowd-pleasing meal and perfect when served with these delicious homemade chips.

You can cheat and use ready-made chips instead if you’re short on time – we won’t judge. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, we’d recommend chilled home chips from McCain – they take just 25 minutes to cook in the oven.

INGREDIENTS

• 6 large potatoes
• 3 tbsp oil
• salt
• black pepper
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp canola oil
• 1-2 tbsp malt vinegar
• 1-1/2 tsp water
• 230g sirloin steak
• 225g shredded iceberg lettuce
• 65g chopped tomato
• 40g red onion, chopped
• 110g grated mozzarella cheese

METHOD

For the chips

• Preheat oven to 190°C. Wash the potatoes and slice into chips. Coat in some oil and arrange them in a single layer on a baking tray.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Bake in the oven until golden brown and crispy.

For the dressing

• Beat the sugar, oil, vinegar and water together until the sugar is dissolved. Next, place a pan coated with cooking spray over medium heat.
• Tip in the steak and fry until meat reaches desired doneness. Take off the heat and leave to stand for a couple of minutes before slicing.
• To serve, divide the lettuce, tomato and onion between two plates and serve with the chips, steak and cheese. Drizzle with dressing.

2. Crispy Fish and Chips

What would a fillet of crispy fish be without a pile of delicious chips on the side? Add some horseradish, breadcrumbs and Worcestershire sauce, and you’ll transform your fish into something special.

INGREDIENTS

• frozen chips
• 4 salmon fillets
• 1-2 tbsp prepared horseradish
• 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 45g breadcrumbs
• cooking spray

METHOD

• Preheat oven to 230°C. Lay the chips in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake on lowest oven rack until light golden brown.
• Next, arrange the salmon on a foil-lined baking sheet, coated with cooking spray. In a small bowl, stir the horseradish, cheese, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and salt. Combine the breadcrumbs. Press the mixture onto the fillets. Spray the tops with cooking spray.
• Bake salmon until it starts to flake easily with a fork. Plate up with chips.

3. Pastrami Sandwich with Chips

This tasty sandwich is best served with chips and uses basic ingredients – grilled cold cuts, cheese, fried potatoes and tomatoes – creating a super-tasty dish, including a delicious coleslaw topping.

INGREDIENTS

• 115g sugar, divided
• 120g cider vinegar
• 400g shredded cabbage
• frozen fries
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp celery seed
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 450g deli pastrami, sliced
• 125g Mozzarella cheese, grated
• 8 slices Italian bread, toasted
• 2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced

METHOD

• Preheat oven to 230°C. In a large bowl, mix together the sugar and vinegar. Combine the cabbage and toss to coat. Cover and put to one side for about half an hour. Next, cook the fries as per packet instructions.
• Drain the cabbage. In a small bowl, stir together the salt, celery seed, pepper and the rest of the sugar and vinegar. Pour over the cabbage and toss to coat.
• On a baking sheet, portion the pastrami into four stacks, topping each with cheese. Bake in oven until cheese has melted.
• Arrange the pastrami on four toasted slices. Garnish with fries, coleslaw, tomato slices and the rest of the toast. Serve immediately.

4. Nacho Chips

For those times when you simply need a hearty, warming, comforting dish, this nacho chips recipe is a winning dish. The ultimate appetiser, it’s perfect for a speedy family dinner that can be on the table in minutes.

Combining everyone’s favourites, including chips, cheese and even some veg, it’s incredibly simple to put together and even easier to clean up.

INGREDIENTS

• frozen fries
• 10 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 3 spring onions, sliced
• 1 tin sliced ripe olives, drained
• 2 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 150g salsa
• 200g Cheddar cheese, grated
• 110g Gouda cheese, grated
• sour cream

METHOD

• Cook the fries as per packet instructions.
• Once cooked, transfer to an ovenproof pan. Layer with the bacon, onions, olives, tomatoes, salsa and the cheeses.
• Pop back into the oven for a few minutes until the cheese has melted.
• Garnish with sour cream.
• Serve immediately.

5. Cheese on Chips

Nothing beats serving up chips drizzled with oozing cheese. And who said cheesy chips were just for music festivals? You can effortlessly make your own food-van-style chips at home, in the form of this scrumptious recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• frozen fries
• 1 tin condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
• 60ml milk
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• paprika

METHOD

• Preheat oven to 200°C. Lay the fries across two greased baking trays and bake until tender and golden brown.
• Next, in a small saucepan, pour in the soup, milk, garlic powder and onion powder and heat through thoroughly. Sprinkle over the fries and season with paprika.

6. Bacon Cheeseburger and Chips Bake

Thoroughly indulgent, this recipe is a twist on the classic cheeseburger and chips dish, merging it all as a moreish casserole. It’s a sure-fire way to entice your little ones to get their homework, chores and piano practice done in minutes.

INGREDIENTS

• frozen chips
• 900g minced beef
• 1 large onion, chopped and divided
• 1 tin tomatoes
• 250g mozzarella
• 1 tbsp ground mustard
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 200g Cheddar cheese, grated
• 12 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
• 200g cherry tomatoes, chopped
• 50g sliced dill cucumbers

METHOD

• Preheat oven to 200°C. Cook chips as per packet instructions.
• Heat up a large pan over medium heat and fry the beef and onions until the beef is no longer pink and onion is tender. Drain. Combine the tomatoes, mozzarella, mustard and Worcestershire sauce until cheese is melted.
• Move to a greased baking tray. Scatter with Cheddar cheese and bacon.
• Garnish with chips. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly. Layer with tomatoes, pickles and the rest of the onion.

7. Vegetarian Chilli with Chips

Crunchy, delicious chips served alongside an easy-to-make veg chilli and lots of gooey cheese – a delectable dinner everyone will love.

INGREDIENTS

• frozen chips
• salt
• black pepper
• 50g walnut halves
• 400g tin kidney beans, drained
• 1 bell pepper, roughly chopped
• 4 medium mushrooms, roughly chopped
• 400g tin tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato puree / paste
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp hot chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 200g cheddar cheese, grated
• your choice of topping: diced tomatoes, fresh coriander, chopped spring onions, diced avocado, sour cream, and so on.

METHOD

• Preheat oven to 190°C. Cook the frozen chips according to package instructions.
• Blitz the walnuts, kidney beans, chopped pepper and mushrooms in a food processor. Your mixture needs to be coarse (but no chunks) rather than completely smooth. If needed, stop to scrape down the sides a few times, then continue pulsing another couple of times.
• Pour the bean mixture into a saucepan, and combine the tin of tomatoes, tomato puree, and spices.
• Bring to a gentle simmer, and leave to cook, stirring regularly, until the mixture has darkened to a richer colour.
• Arrange the cooked chips in a baking tray and spoon the chilli mix over the top. Garnish with lots of grated cheese and bake in the oven until the cheese is golden brown and crispy.
• Serve hot, drizzled with your choice of garnishes.

Hopefully the above recipes have proved that chips are no longer just for snacking. These seven genius ideas will turn everyday frozen chips into awesomely satisfying meals, appetisers and much more.