How to Make the Perfect French Fries

Everyone loves French fries.  These instructions make fries that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Rinsing the fries before cooking them is absolutely necessary.  Rinsing and soaking removes the potato starch.  Many recipes call for heating the oil first and then blanching the fries.  I have found my method works just as well, better in fact, and is much easier.

French fries can be a side dish for burgers or they can be topped to make them a great snack or a main dish.  I have given you a list of our favorite French fry toppings.

Servings:  6-8

Time: Prep: 10 minutes Resting: 30 minutes, Cooking: 12-15 minutes
Hardware: A cutting board and large knife, large mixing bowl, a clean tea towel, a deep heavy skillet, an oil thermometer, tongs, a paper towel covered plate

Ingredients:

• 4 pounds of russet potatoes
• Peanut oil for frying
• Ice water
• Salt

1. Wash the potatoes and cut them into ¼ inch sticks.  Rinse them under cold water until the water turns clear.  Cover them in ice water and allow them to soak for 30 minutes.
2. Rinse the potatoes and pat them dry with the tea towel.
3. Place them in the skillet, no more than two layers deep.  Cover the fries in oil. 
4. Turn the oil to medium or until the oil rises to 325˚. 
5. Fry until the potatoes begin to soften and they become a buttery color.  This will take about 10-12 minutes.
6. Toss the potatoes.  Turn the oil up to 350˚ and allow the fries to crisp and turn golden brown.
7. Remove them to the paper towel covered plate and salt while they are still hot. Serve right away.

*************************

Bacon Cheese Fries

• Fries
• ½ cup Ranch dressing
• 6 pieces of crispy bacon, crumbled
• ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar
• 2 chopped green onions

Toss the hot fries with the crumbled bacon and cheese.  Top with the ranch dressing and sprinkle with the green onions.

Bacon Cheese Fries

*************************

Buffalo Fries

• Fries
• ½ cup hot wing sauce
• Four prepared chicken fingers-chopped into small pieces
• ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese
• ¼ cup blue cheese dressing
• ½ stalk celery sliced as thinly as possible

Toss the hot fries with the wing sauce, chicken, and blue cheese. Top the fries with the dressing.  Sprinkle with the slivers of celery.

*************************

Breakfast Fries

•  Fries
• Sunny side up eggs
• 6 pieces of crispy bacon, crumbled
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Place the fries into serving bowls.  Cover in cheese and bacon.  Add an egg to the top of each serving.

*************************

Rueben Fries

•  Fries
• 1 cup shredded corned beef
• ½ cup shredded Swiss cheese
• ¼ cup 1000 island dressing
• 2 tablespoons sauerkraut-drained very well and chopped

Toss the hot fries with the corned beef and Swiss cheese.  Top with the dressing and sprinkle with the sauerkraut. 

*************************

Devil Fries

• Fries
• ½ cup hot wing sauce
• ½ cup shredded pepper jack
• ½ cup sharp cheddar
• 2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeños
• 2 tablespoons buttermilk ranch dressing
• 2 tablespoons French fried onions (like Durkee)

 Toss the fries with the wing sauce, cheeses, and jalapeños.  Top with the dressing and sprinkle with the onions.