Disneyworld-Style Figaro Fries

Figaro Fries? What are they I hear you cry! Figaro Fries is a light meal/snack that was only available in the Pinocchio Village Haus in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. Alas they are no more but recipes for this culinary delight are plentiful on the internet.

They are basically french fries topped with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and ranch sauce. Some recipes just mention melting cheese and pouring that over the fries but I couldn't see how that would work so I went for the other option and made a cheese sauce, which I think is more authentic.

Okay, it's not the healthiest of meals I agree, but as a once-in-a-blue-moon treat on a Saturday night? You can't beat it! I use frozen fries and cook them in the oven rather than deep-fry them but that's really your call.

Figaro Fries

Ingredients

3-4 rashers smoked bacon

french fries (I used McCains frozen Southern Fries)

Iceberg lettuce

Tomatoes

Bottle of ranch dressing

For the cheese sauce;

415ml whole milk

2 tbsp cornflour

225g cheddar cheese, grated

pinch cayenne pepper

salt

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 200c/180 fan.

Cook the bacon rashers until crispy. I do this in the oven but grill or frying pan is fine also. Allow to cool and break into small pieces.

Prepare the vegetables by shredding the lettuce and dicing the tomatoes.

Pop the french fries onto a baking try and cook in the oven for around 20 minutes until golden and crisp.

Whilst the fries are cooking start to prepare the cheese sauce. Bring 355ml of the milk to a simmer in a large saucepan over a medium heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornflour and the remaining 60ml of milk and then stir into the simmering milk. Continue to cook, whisking all the time, until the sauce has thickened. This should take around 2-3 minutes.  Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the grated cheese and the cayenne pepper until the cheese is melted and the sauce if smooth. Season with salt to taste.

Now you are ready to assemble onto serving places! Place the french fries on the plate, and top with cheese sauce and the crumbled bacon pieces. Next top with shredded lettuce and some ranch dressing and finally the diced tomatoes.

And...eat!