Doritos® sausage bites with cheese sauce

• 2 cups (500 ml) Doritos® chips, finely crushed
• 2 eggs
• 4 to 5 cups (1 to 1.25 L) vegetable oil
• 450 g (1 lb / 16 oz) spicy Italian sausages (or other bold sausages of your choice), cut into ¾ in (2 cm) thick slices

• 2 cups (500 ml) shredded marble cheddar
• ½ cup (125 ml) shredded parmesan
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) cornstarch
• 1 cup (250 ml) unsweetened evaporated milk
• A few drops of tabasco
• Salt and ground pepper

Sausage bites

• Place the finely crushed Doritos® in a bowl. Set aside. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs with a fork. Set aside.
• In a large heavy-bottomed pot over high heat (or in a deep fryer), pour oil to a depth of 2 in (5 cm) and heat to 350°F (180°C).
• Dip the sausage slices in the beaten eggs, letting any excess drip off over the bowl. Drop them into the Doritos® crumbs and coat well on all sides.
• Add the sausages to the hot oil in small batches and fry for 3 to 4 minutes or until deep golden brown.
• Remove from the oil, place on paper towel and let rest 2 minutes. Transfer to a rack and keep warm in the oven at minimum temperature while you prepare the sauce.

Cheese sauce

• In a bowl, combine the marble cheddar, parmesan and cornstarch.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the cheese mixture, evaporated milk and tabasco. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and hot.
• Serve immediately alongside the crispy sausage bites.