Cheesy Bacon Fries with Ranch Dip

By now, my readers, you're probably pretty certain of my love for the mighty spud {with 25 potato recipes on my blog how could you not!}.  So it should not come as a total shock that I also adore bacon.  Potatoes and bacon go way back.  Mmmmm, I love me some bacon.  And cheese.  And Ryan Reynolds ... but that's neither here nor there.  My love for cheese and bacon may be great for the tastebuds but not so great for my arteries so I enjoy them in moderation.  Ryan Reynolds?  He's perfectly fine for my arteries so I get my fill watching him in 'The Proposal' over and over and over again. *sigh*

Bookworm Tidbit:  Whenever Brad has one of his manly men-only nights with the guys to drink beer and eat chicken wings (and possibly thump their chests) he'll ask me if I want him to bring me something.  Awww, nice guy, right?  My answer, always??  Cheesy Bacon Fries.  I don't care if he was hanging out at a bakery or a Tim Horton's I always want Cheesy Bacon Fries.  It's what I crave.  All the time.  Who doesn't love fresh cut fries, smothered in gooey cheese and crisp bacon?  WHO!?!  No one, that's who.

After years, YEARS of waiting for Cheesy Bacon Fries I finally took matters into my own two hands.  I made my own.  I will attempt to explain how I felt when I sat down and ate my beloved dish. "Oh ... MY ... TATER!".  It was soooo good!  Brad agreed whole-heartedly although my kids weren't fans.  There's always a critic ... or three.

Now, eating fresh cut fries sprinkled with cheese and bacon isn't enough.  {Apparently I'm never satisfied}.  I had to make an easy Ranch dip to dip my fries into.  Ketchup just will NOT do with this dish.  The Ranch dip was the icing on the proverbial cheesy bacon cupcake ... uh, you get what I mean.  So delish! 

So I've decided to share my love of the Cheesy Bacon Fry with you.  The fact that these fries are baked should help to balance out your guilt about the bacon and cheese.  As for satisfying your Ryan Reynolds craving?  Get your own copy of The Proposal. ;) 

Cheesy Bacon Fries with Ranch Dip

From: The Baking Bookworm

6 medium potatoes, washed and scrubbed (leave the skins on)
1/2 lb bacon
2 tbsp grapeseed or vegetable oil
2 tbsp reserved bacon drippings
salt and pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cup marble cheese, grated

Ranch Dip
1/3 cup Ranch dressing (I used Kraft Three Cheese Ranch)
1/3 cup sour cream
1 heaping tbsp mayonnaise

Preheat oven to 375F.

If you have a French fry cutting machine this is where you can get your groove on.  If not, cut your potatoes into 1/2-inch thick slices.  Place cut fries into a large bowl of water.

Meanwhile, cut bacon into small pieces (I used my kitchen shears to save time).  Cook in a large skillet over medium heat until browned and slightly crispy.  Remove grease and reserve 2 tbsp.  Set aside.  Place cooked bacon on paper towels to drain.

Prepare Ranch Dip:  Combine Ranch dressing, sour cream and mayonnaise in a small bowl and set aside.

Drain the cut, raw fries and place them on a couple of tea towels and dry them off as much as you can.  Return fries to the bowl and add the 2 tbsp of reserved bacon drippings and the 2 tbsp of oil. Season with salt and pepper. Toss well.

Line a couple of baking sheets with foil and lightly grease.  Lay fries on the pan in a single layer.  This is important!  You don't want more than a single layer because the fries will steam themselves instead of crisp up.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and flip fries.  Return to oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until fries are tender and have a crispy outside.

Top fries with the reserved bacon and grated cheese and return pans to oven.  Broil on low for a few minutes (keep your eye on it!) until cheese has melted.  Serve with Ranch dip.