Home Style French Fries Recipes

HAND-CUT FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Leaving the skin on, cut the potatoes into long thin strips and put in a large bowl of clean water to remove some starch, prevent them from sticking together, and stop the oxidizing process.
• In a cast iron skillet fitted with a thermometer, or a small fryer, heat the oil until it reaches 275 to 300 degrees F. Remove the potatoes from the water and pat dry. Working in small batches, fry the potatoes until they go from shiny to matte, 3 to 5 minutes (this is also called blanching). Drain well on paper towels. Re-heat the oil until it reaches 350 degrees F and fry the potatoes again, also in small batches, until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside.
• Remove from the oil, drain well, and toss with sea salt and malt vinegar, or any other seasoning you prefer. You can also fry fresh herbs such as rosemary, sage, and thyme with the potatoes. Serve hot.

FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes and cut into 1cm-thick batons. Put into a bowl of cold water and leave to soak for at least 2 hrs to remove the starch from the potatoes - this will help them crisp while frying.
• Drain the potatoes well and pat dry with kitchen paper. Fill a deep pan no more than a third full with oil and heat to 140C, or until a cube of bread dropped in browns in 60 seconds. Fry the French fries in batches for 6 mins per batch until golden straw-coloured, cooked through and lightly crisp. Drain well on kitchen paper.
• Turn the heat up until the oil reaches 180C, or a cube of bread browns in 30 seconds. Fry the French fries again for 2-3 mins per batch until lightly golden and really crisp. Drain on kitchen paper and immediately season with sea salt.

HOMEMADE CRISPY SEASONED FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Slice potatoes into French fries, and place into cold water so they won't turn brown while you prepare the oil.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. While the oil is heating, sift the flour, garlic salt, onion salt, (regular) salt, and paprika into a large bowl. Gradually stir in enough water so that the mixture can be drizzled from a spoon.
• Dip potato slices into the batter one at a time, and place in the hot oil so they are not touching at first. The fries must be placed into the skillet one at a time, or they will clump together. Fry until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.

FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Cut potatoes into 1/4-in. julienned strips; soak in cold water for 30 minutes., Drain potatoes; pat dry with paper towels. In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 340°. Fry potatoes in batches for 3-4 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels., Increase heat of oil to 375°. Fry potatoes again in batches for 1-2 minutes or until crisp and golden brown, turning frequently. Drain on paper towels; sprinkle with salt. Serve immediately.

MCDONALD'S FRENCH FRIES - COPYCAT RECIPE

Steps:

• Combine the brine ingredients and set aside.
• Peel and rinse that potatoes.
• Slice them into strings just under ½ inch. (A french fry potato cutter makes this easy.)
• Place them in the cold brine as you slice them. Ensure the potatoes are completely submerged. Add more cold water if needed.
• Cover and place the brine in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight.
• Drain and rinse them twice with cold water. Pat them completely dry.
• Preheat oil to 300 degrees. (A dutch oven and oil thermometer is very helpful.)
• Fry the potatoes in batches for about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towels. They will be very soft. (This is a good thing.)
• Add the vegetable shortening and increase the heat to 400 degrees. Fry in batches again until golden brown. (It's hard to be patient during this part.)
• Remove and place on paper towels. Season with salt right away and serve!

HOME FRIES

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water by about 2 inches. Season with salt. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer until just tender, about 6 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Cook the bacon in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Pour all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings into a small bowl and set aside. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Wipe out the skillet and return to medium-high heat. Heat the remaining bacon fat and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in the skillet. Add the potatoes, season with salt and pepper to taste, and arrange in a single layer. Cook, without stirring, until well browned on 1 side, about 4 minutes. Using a spatula, turn the potatoes in small sections, and continue cooking, turning occasionally, about 6 minutes or until well browned. Stir in the onions, heat through, and sprinkle with the parsley and cayenne, if desired. Transfer to a warm platter and crumble the bacon on top, serve. Copyright 2005 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.