BULGOGI (COTTAGE) CHEESE FRIES

Servings 4 / Approximately 755 Calories, 63g Carbs, 39g Fat, 45g Protein

Prep Time 15 Min / Marinade Time 4-6 Hours or Overnight / Cook Time 15-20 Min

BULGOGI MARINADE INGREDIENTS

• 1 Asian Pear (I used 2 Bartlett Pears)

• 1 Medium White Onion

• 3 Small Cloves Garlic or 1 Large Clove of Garlic

• 1 tsp Ginger (Fresh if you have it or you can sub out with pre-grated Ginger)

• 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper

• 1 tsp Sesame Seeds

• 1 tbsp Soy Sauce

• 1.5 tbsp Light Corn Syrup (Can sub with more light brown sugar)

• 1 tbsp Light Brown Sugar

• 1 - 14oz Package of Shaved Steak (Kroger) or thinly sliced beef/steak (Can also use thinly sliced chicken or pork if you prefer)

BULGOGI FRIES INGREDIENTS

• 8 Servings of Crinkle Cut Fries (I used Kroger Brand)

• 2 Cups of 4% Cottage Cheese Blended

• 4 Tablespoons of Hoosier Hill Farm Big Daddy Mac Mix Cheese Powder (You can use any cheese powder of your preference)

• 1 Cup of Private Selection Alpine Blend Cheese (White Cheddar would be a good substitute)

• 4 tsp Siracha Hot Chili Sauce

• 6-8 Green Onions

• ¼ tsp Salt

• ¼ tsp Kimchi Seasoning (Optional or sub with a light dusting of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes)

Marinade Preparation:

1.     Find your Blender!

2.    Peel and core your pear and cut into 1-2” pieces and add to blender

3.    Peel and chop your onion in half and add to the blender

4.    Peel your garlic and also add that to the blender

5.    Measure your Ginger, Ground Black Pepper, Sesame Seeds, Soy Sauce, Light Corn Syrup, & Brown Sugar and add that all to your blender with the pear and onion.

6.    Blend on high speed until it is a liquid like paste/marinade

7.     Place your sliced beef in a storage container with the marinade and stir/move the meat around so it is fully submersed in the liquid and all pieces are coated with the marinade.

8.    Place the lid on the storage container and place in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours (overnight would be better).

Bulgogi Fries Preparation:

1.     I chose to air fry my French Fries at 380 Degrees for roughly 16-18 Minutes vs bake or deep fry.

a.     They turned out very crispy and golden brown; however, follow the package directions for whichever cooking method you prefer.

2.    Once your Fries start Cooking, place a large non-stick Skillet on your stovetop over medium high heat.

3.    Once your skillet is hot, add some cooking spray to the skillet and then add your marinaded Beef Bulgogi to the skillet.

a.     Allow this to hang out in the skillet for a good 5-7 minutes until the marinade has evaporated off during the cooking process and you can begin seeing some color/searing of the meat in the pan.

b.    Flip the Bulgogi in the skillet and allow to sear on the other side to get some color development on the meat from both sides (about another 5-7 Min).

c.     Once this is complete, give the bulgogi one last stir and allow to hang out in the skillet at the lowest temp your stovetop will go (Warm/Low) until your fries are done cooking.

4.    Rinse your Green Onions and chop the bottom ends off of them and peel away any wilted pieces/layers

a.     Slice the green onions up into fine little rings/pieces

5.    About 3 Minutes before your Fries are done cooking prepare the cheese sauce.

a.     I ran out of milk before I made these so I used blended cottage cheese instead of making a roux and adding the milk, cheese powder, and cheese

6.    Blend Cottage Cheese until very smooth

a.     Next add in Cheese Powder to the blended cottage cheese and stir

b.    Measure out a cup of shredded cheese in a bowl and rinse it off and drain the water off and combine with cottage cheese mixture in a Microwave Safe bowl

• This will help it melt better

• If you freshly grate your cheese, skip this step.

7.     Place the Cottage Cheese Mixture in the microwave for 30-60 Seconds and then stir

a.     It will likely only need 1 minute to 90 seconds total to become warm and pourable.

• NOTE: this will set up very quickly!  Do Not microwave it until right before you are ready to pour it over your French Fries!!!

8.    If you timed this step appropriately, your fries should have just finished cooking in the air fryer.  Place the cooked French fries in a bowl and toss with salt and Kimchi seasoning

9.    Place fries on a serving plate/platter from the bowl

10. Pour Melted Cheese Mixture over the french fries

11.  Add the Bulgogi on top of the cheese and fries

12.  Sprinkle your sliced green onions on top of the bulgogi

13.  Dust with a little more Kimchi Seasoning

14.  Add Siracha Chili Sauce on top

15.  ENJOY!!!

This really is an easy recipe to put together since the marinade is just blending everything together and you can purchase pre-sliced beef.  If you have less time to marinade your meat before cooking this dish (Less than 1-2 hours), you can substitute Kiwi Fruit for the Pear.  Kiwi breaks down red meat very quickly.  SO, you do not want to use this substitute if you are going to marinade it overnight or all day!  I also REPEAT, the Cottage Cheese, Cheese Sauce Sets up quickly.  So, I do encourage you to warm it up in the microwave right when your fries are done.  I have also made these before with milk to make the cheese sauce and white cheddar shredded cheese.  I will say, the cottage cheese, cheese sauce was equally as delicious and just as easy to make.

These fries hit every flavor note that I crave when I order them from Hungry Belly’s in Dallas.  I hope you enjoy.

Impress your friends and make these as an appetizer the next time you host a social gathering!!!