Recipe for Homemade French Fries
Ingredients:
4 large potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold)
Cold water
Salt, to taste
Vegetable or canola oil, for frying
Instructions:
Prepare the Potatoes:
Peel the potatoes and cut them into strips about 1/2 inch thick.
Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. This step removes excess starch and helps achieve a crisper fry.
Dry the Potatoes:
Drain the potatoes and dry them thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel. It’s important that the potatoes are very dry to avoid splattering during frying.
Heat the Oil:
Fill a large heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer with vegetable oil (the oil should be about 3 inches deep). Heat the oil to 300°F (150°C).
Fry the Potatoes (First Fry):
Fry the potatoes in batches so as not to overcrowd the pot, which can cause the oil temperature to drop and make the fries soggy. Fry for about 5-7 minutes per batch or until the fries are soft but not browned.
Remove the fries using a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
Increase the Oil Temperature:
Increase the heat to bring the oil temperature up to 400°F (205°C).
Fry the Potatoes (Second Fry):
Return the fries to the hot oil in batches and fry until golden and crispy, about 3-5 minutes.
Remove the fries and drain on the wire rack again. Season with salt while still hot.
Serve:
Serve the fries hot with your choice of condiments.
This two-step frying process ensures that the inside of the fries becomes fully cooked before the outside gets a golden and crispy texture.
Enjoy your homemade French fries! If you need more recipes or variations, feel free to ask.