Galganov's Easy Recipe for the French Fried Potatoes!

To make this French Fries recipe you will need:

• a knife and chopping board or a potato chipper (french fry cutter)
• a deep fryer, pot with a deep fry basket or a wok (A deep fryer used in accordance with manufacturer's directions is probably the safest device)
• a slotted spoon (or comparable device)
• a collander on a tray or plate
• an unlined paper bag

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The required ingredients for this French Fries recipe are:

• potatoes (we like yellow flesh best but young white are okay and russets work well for fries also)
• oil (we like sunflower best for this)

Optionals:

• salt
• your preference of finely ground pepper(s)
• finely minced herbs (chives can be nice on wedges)

Method I:

1. Slice fries uniformly as practical (shown here is hand-cut to 3/16 to 1/4" [5 to 7 cm]) or chip them in a potato chipper.
2. Wash raw, cut potatoes well in cold water and let soak in very cold water (refridgerate if you have space). This step is more important if potatoes are not very fresh/firm but always wash them. We always try to soak them at least an hour.
3. In your Deep Fryer - Heat oil to 360^oF (180^o C) and drain raw potatoes very well.
4. In a wok - As oil gets hot drop one piece of raw potato into the oil. When it rises to the top and is enveloped in foam the oil is hot enough. Carefully slide your raw potato sticks into the hot oil (Do not over-fill. Increased product in the oil increases the risk of splashing). Stir only enough to turn potato pieces for even cooking.
5. Fry approximately six (6) minutes - until the surface of the fries starts to bubble and the potato is just starting to change colour.
6. Transfer to the colander to drain off excess oil and let stand to cool.

Method II:

1. With oil reheated to cooking temperature, drop chips back into hot oil and cook until they form a crisp surface (about three [3] minutes depending upon the size of the chips - these slender ones go pretty fast).
2. Remove fries to the colander to drain off execess oil and then transfer them to an uncoated paper bag.
3. Add small amounts of any seasoning (salt, pepper and/or finely minced herbs) to the bag and shake and slide the fries until the bag is greasy.
   (The seasoning will stick, nicely, to your fries at this stage. Do not season fries for Poutine or other dishes where seasoning will be added later.)
4. Remove fries to serving dish or dinner plate.

The Background Story
French Fried Potatoes

How popular are French Fries? This is only a very small sampling of some of the names and languages for this exceedingly popular dish:

• Pommes Frites or Patates Frites - depending upon in which French speaking community you may find yourself;
• Chips ("Chips", in the west, is what other countries around the world refer to as "crisps" or "wafers";
• French Fried Potatoes
• French Fries ... or Fries
• Freedom Fries (a relatively recent American, political innovation)
• Aloo Chippos
• Frieten
• Patatas Fritas

Of course, for a Quebecer, your Patates Frites, traditionally served with white vinegar and salt, is the foundation for Poutine - simply mix some of your favourite diced cheese curds into your prepared Frites and pour your favourite gravy over it.

It should go without saying ... but it doesn't, "A sealed deep fryer, used as directed by the manufacturer, continues to be amongst the safest ways to deep fry at home."

We like, sometimes, to fry in a wok. Of the stove-top options, we think that the wok (used as directed by the manufacturer) is one of the more economical and safer ways to deep fry ... but you must NEVER walk away from any deep frier whether sealed or stove-top. deep frying can be dangerous!

If you choose to fry in a wok, don't overload it. You must leave sufficient room to allow the potato pieces to move around in the oil (to cook evenly). Additionally, handling more product in the oil is more likely to lead to dangerous oil splashes. You only need about 1" (2.5 cm) of oil in a wok. We do not deep fry in a pot as we think it to be a less safe option.

Be Safe:

• Never allow children to deep fry alone.
• Hot oil burns instantly.
• Always have emergency equipment (an extinguisher, appropriate pot/wok lids, baking soda) at hand in the event of emergency.
   

Pick the perfect sandwich to go with your fries!