Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The Best French Fries with Fry Sauce

There's something about a French Fry. It's crispy, crunchy, but tender on the inside. At least that's how they should be. When I used to buy the frozen fries and bake them or fry them, they were awful! I was never, ever happy with the result. These fries are so amazing. They require some work, but if your spouse is putting together stuff to grill hamburgers, these can be made in the same amount of time. They are so worth it! I made up the fry sauce recipe, but I thought it turned out great.

The Best French Fries:
source: "It's All American Food" by David Rosengarten

5 large russet potatoes
2 T table salt
2 T sugar
2 Q vegetable oil
seasoned salt
pepper

Fry Sauce:
1/4 c ketchup
3 T mayonnaise
1 1/2 t pickle juice
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/4 t seasoned salt

Fill a large stockpot with water. Sprinkle in the 2 T salt and sugar. While it is coming to a boil. prepare the potatoes.

Wash and peel the potatoes. Cut them into rectangular cubes.
Cut them into 3/8 inch strips.
As you are cutting the potatoes, put the ones that were finished in a bath of ice water to keep them from browning.
Once the water is boiling, add the potatoes.
Cook them for 7 minutes. Carefully remove them with a big slotted spoon. They will break easily at this point, so you have to be extra gentle with them. When you take them out, place them on a paper towel-lined cookie sheet.
Let them rest for a few minutes while you prepare the oil. Bring it to 250 degrees. Boil them in batches in 250 degree oil for 2-3 minutes. Carefully remove them and place them on clean, dry paper towels.
Once you're ready to eat, bring the oil up to 350 degrees. Carefully put the fries on the big, metal slotted spoon and lower them into the oil. Fry them in small batches. Cook for three minutes. Remove to yet another dry paper towel-lined baking sheet. Keep the fries warm in a 300 degree oven on a cookie sheet (preferably one without a paper towel, so you don't set your house on fire.)
You can see in the picture below how they look when they come out. I'm telling you- They are the perfect french fry!
Once they are out of the oil, lightly sprinkle them with course salt and freshly ground pepper.

To make the fry sauce, you just combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir it up. Tough, I know.
There you have it. If you crave French Fries, they don't get better than this. I would recommend this recipe with the Banzai Burger, Juicy Lucy, or Lemon-Battered Fish.

2 comments:

  1. I had never thought of boiling the potatoes... Thanks! that will make all the difference :) I just found you food blog, I can't wait to try some of the yummy things you've posted :D

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  2. Jessica, I'm glad you found my blog and like it. :) That made my whole day!

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