I would like to share with everyone one of my very first childhood love: frites. I have always adored potatoes, especially when fried and recently more than ever I need them. They are my one and only, comfort food.
That said, a good frite is hard to come by and sometimes I have to go get a veggie burger from one joint and fries somewhere else. I should say Thomas has to, since he is charged with the meandering fast food runs. Taking pity on him I decided to make our own, and Frites Night was born (were born, Wednesday and Sunday).
The selection of deep fryers (friteuse) is pitiful when you are impulse buying and want it for tonight on a Sunday night (the first of the hallowed frites nights). After much driving around (Thomas again) and tired cell phone discussions, I had to put the Chuck Taylor's on and get myself to Target were I purchased a Tefal Uno on clearance. It looked European enough and had a firm closing top which was a condition of mine. Also it was really cheap, not that I am, but still.
Here is the recipe, tried and true. Tasty and Crispy, everything...
ingredients:
Canola oil, (Peanut oil is supposed to be better but it costs a bundle and you will need a least two quarts, did I say I wasn't cheap?)
Yellow Idaho potatoes
Gros sel (kosher salt)
In the morning (or the night before): peel and cut the potatoes into sticks, rinse them well. In a bowl cover them with water and place them in the fridge.
When the time comes, heat the oil to 320 degrees and dry your potatoes with a dish towel. Place the potatoes in the oil a first time for 15 minutes. Take the frites out and heat the oil to 390 degrees. Place the frites in again for 5 to 7 minutes. Take the frites out, place on paper towels and add salt.
Voila, the crunch can be heard even when you chew with you mouth closed, as you should girl!
Mmmm, j'adore les frites! We have a crepes et frites restaurant close enough (but also far enough away, if you know what I mean) so that I've resisted making my own. It would be bad for me to have 24 hour access to a fryer.
Posted by: Christina | October 02, 2009 at 06:35 AM
Those looks so delicious! I love the fries at Apollo Burger near your house. They remind me of the fries I grew up with in Chicago. However nothing beats homemade.
Posted by: Lisa | October 02, 2009 at 10:11 AM
it's 10am and these are already making my mouth water!
Posted by: montague | October 06, 2009 at 06:54 AM
It's not even 8 am here, and I'm already craving this bits of potato goodness. Can I get a fryer this early in the morning?
Posted by: Amy M | October 06, 2009 at 06:57 AM