CopyKat Outback Steakhouse Aussie Fries

There are a few websites out there that specialize in reproducing favorite restaurant meals at home. CopyKat is one of the better ones, and one I was hipped to by friend and fellow food writer Warren Bobrow on his Twitter. Here's their take on Outback Steakhouse Aussie Fries:

Outback Steakhouse Aussie Fries

1 – 2 lb. bag of Frozen French Fries
1 C. shredded Colby Jack cheese (An excellent suggestion is to use the cheese that is
labeled as "Taco Cheese," cheese for Tacos.)
6 pieces of Bacon, cooked

Divide the fries into half, and use the other half later. Heat oil to 350 degrees. If you do not have a thermostat, make sure the oil is hot enough, so that when you set a French fry in there it will cook immediately. If the French fry sinks to the bottom, and barely bubbles, it is not hot enough. Fry the potatoes in small batches, they are done when they are golden brown, and float to the top of the skillet. (I like to use a Dutch oven). Be sure to drain the potatoes on paper towels. You can keep them warm in the oven while the other fries are done. When all French fries are done cooking, and drained place them onto a platter. Salt the French fries if you like, and sprinkle on cheese and cooked bacon. Pop these back into a warm oven until the cheese begins to melt.

Here is what Jane Coyle Suggested:

1 16 oz bottle Ranch Dressing
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. white pepper
1 tsp. black pepper
1 Tbsp. kosher salt
1 Tbsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. onion powder

Combine all ingredients and let refrigerate overnight for the best flavor.

The original recipe can be found here, and you can find more Outback Steakhouse Recipes, here at CopyKat.com.

The HSN Cooks Spring Weekend Event

HSN Cooks Spring Weekend Event Presented by Bon Appétit : March 26-27

Add mouthwatering ideas to the menu as HSN & Bon Appétit bring you world-renowned chefs, including premieres such as Ken Hom, The Lee Bros. and Jacques "Mr. Chocolate" Torres. Find delicious inspiration & enjoy free shipping on select foods as we celebrate spring in the best of taste.
For women who enjoy cooking, the HSN Cooks Spring Weekend Event Presented by Bon Appétit is the ultimate kitchen and food shopping experience with celebrity chefs and culinary experts presenting high-quality kitchenware, time-saving appliances and tasty cuisine.

• New and best-selling items from top brands: Wolfgang Puck, Emeril and Easy Exotic by Padma Lakshmi.
• The premiere of The Lee Bros., southern food-enthusiasts.
• The premiere of Chef Ken Hom, notable Chinese-American chef and author with his signature wok collection and healthy stir-fry cooking guide.
• New food brand premieres including: Jacques "Mr. Chocolate" Torres, Aunt Ida Baked Goods, Leonetti's hand made Stromboli and more.
• Special event pricing, select free shipping, value-packed bundles and HSN Card offers.
• Tips and solutions from Bon Appétit Editor Dede Wilson.
• Limited time offer for Bon Appétit only available through HSN -- receive 1-year magazine subscription (12 issues) for $9.97. Bon Appétit celebrates the world of great food and the pleasure of sharing it with others. Every issue invites readers into a hands-on experience, engaging them in all aspects of the epicurean lifestyle - cooking, dining, travel, entertaining, shopping and design.
• Ask the Chefs. Chat live with Padma at 2pm EDT & with Wolfgang at 3pm EDT March 27th. Just "like" HSN on Facebook to chat with our chefs.

French Fry Diary 216: Pop Century Breakfast 2011

The Bride is a very sweet and a very sneaky lady. This installment of Somebody Else's Fries is one that I have featured before on at least two occasions, here and here. These are the breakfast potatoes from Pop Century in Walt Disney World, but this entry is not so much about the fries this time, as it is about how she got to the fries.

My mother-in-law, one of the coolest and sweetest ladies I know outside of The Bride, has her seventieth birthday this year, today in fact, and my wife wanted to make it something special. She spent months planning an elaborate surprise birthday party with family and friends, the theme of which was the dreams my mother-in-law has always had - one of those dreams was to travel the world.

The Bride thought up the scheme of sneaking down to Disney World, going to the World Showcase in EPCOT and getting a special passport stamped and signed in every country for her mom - so that she could say she had 'seen the world.' Mom loved it, and as an added bonus, The Bride also got some breakfast potatoes from Everything Pop.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

P.S. It should be added that the surprise party itself was held at French Fry Diary favorite the Pop Shop, and included those amazing Pop Fries. Special thanks to the folks at the Pop Shop for making the day extra special.

French Fry Diary 215: Irish Potatoes

For St. Patrick's Day this year I figured I would talk about Irish Potatoes as someone contacted me about a week ago asking if I was going to. I said sure, even though I had no idea what an Irish potato was. I was delighted to find out however.

I was surprised that this candy treat was actually a Philadelphia tradition for the holiday. Coconut cream covered in cinnamon, this treat is simplicity itself, and really doesn't contain potato at all. Notably, it apparently isn't Irish either, although some folks will tell you it commemorates the Irish Potato Famine and shows up in stores around March, just in time for St. Pattie's Day.

While I have been told that Bayard's Chocolates makes the best Irish Potatoes, I managed to track these down at Wegman's. I only took a small bite as I have slight cinnamon allergy, but these are sweet and tasty, and I'm glad I know what these babies are now.

French Fry Diary 214: Red Lobster 2011

This edition of Somebody Else's Fries comes from my gal pal Marni, my Red Lobster expert, who visited the Red Lobster recently and was treated to a new and different variety of the favorite fried food.

I'll let her take from here: "We went to Red Lobster in Delaware tonight and were seated after about thirty minutes. We were given our appetizer and we were also given a plate of these chips. They were thinly sliced potatoes and crispy. Some of them were slightly thicker and were not as crisp. The problem was that there was no discernible flavoring... not even salt. They were completely bland. I dipped them in the peach bourbon sauce to give them some flavor and they were pretty good. I enjoyed the crispness of them but they lacked any flavor."

Thanks, Marni, I guess I'll have to check them out the next time I hit the Dead Lobster.

The Devil You Say...

French Fry Diary 213: Rest in Peace, Blair River

Blair River, at 600 pounds, six foot eight inches tall, and twenty-nine years old, has passed away from complications of pneumonia. He was the spokesman for the Heart Attack Grill in Chandler, Arizona and Dallas, Texas.

The restaurant is notorious for its medical themed décor and advertising, its nose-thumbing at the Health Nazis, and its dangerously fatty foods. On its menu you can find the Single, the Double, the Triple and the 8000 calorie Quadruple Bypass Burger, their special all-you-can-eat Flatliner Fries cooked in lard, and a Butterfat Shake, as well as candy, soda, beer and cigarettes. You get the idea.

River will be missed. To read more about the man and the restaurant, click here.

Free FryDay

Tomorrow, March 4th, isn't just Friday, it's also FryDay - Chick-fil-A Free FryDay!

Celebrate the national launch of Heinz' new Dip & Squeeze ketchup at your local Chick-fil-A restaurant!

On Friday, March 4th, 2011, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, get one free medium order of Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Fries when you mention you're there to try the new Heinz Dip & Squeeze ketchup.

French Fry Diary 212: Lucky's Sportshouse, Wilkes-Barre PA

Here's another Somebody Else's Fries from The Bride. She travels quite a bit for her job, and sometimes she gets to chill with far away friends and family when she does. On a recent trip to Wilkes-Barre, her brother took her out to dinner at Lucky's Sportshouse.

Lucky's is your average neighborhood sports bar, with all the regular stuff - big screen TVs and better than average bar food. The Bride, having lived with me far too long, knew to get fries, and not only to eat them, but take a picture of them as well. She says these natural cut regular cuts were quite good. Maybe I'll get out there some time and find out for myself.

And hey, if you've had fries that you want to tell me about, you can be part of Somebody Else's Fries too. Just take a photo of your fries, jot down a few lines about them and send it along to me here. I'd love to feature your thoughts.