Homemade French Fries

薯条

Making french fries at home is easier than you think. What's more, you can cut the fries to the preferred thickness. Here's my adaptation of the recipes shared in Shack Shake's cookbook and Recipetineats. 

Ingredients:

Potatoes (buy yellow-fleshed potatoes. I bought Holland potatoes - grown in China)

White vinegar (1 tablespoon per 1 kg of potatoes)

Method:

1. Peel potatoes and submerge in water to keep them from turning brown while you cut the rest of the potatoes.

2. Use a serrated knife to cut the potato lengthwise into 1/2 inch slices, then cut each slice lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick fries. Continue to submerge the fries in water until all the potatoes have been sliced. Note: The serrated knife creates a rougher surface for crispier fries.

3. Rinse the fries under running tap water to remove excess sugars from the surface of the potatoes. Transfer to a pot filled with water above the fries, and stir in the white vinegar*. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to simmer the fries until they are just tender (test with a toothpick). DO NOT OVER SIMMER THE POTATOES as they will fall apart.

*The white vinegar will prevent the potatoes from disintegrating during simmering.

4. Transfer the boiled fries to a baking tray lined with tea towel. Let the fries steam dry on their own.

5. Heat up a wok with sufficient oil to deep fry the fries. Fry in small batches until the fries are the edges turned pale gold. Remove from wok and drain excess oil on a wire rack.

6. Spread the fries on a baking tray lined with kitchen towel to cool down. Once cooled, bag the fries and freeze them for frying on another day. Freezing help to wick remaining moisture in the cooked fries. 

7. When you want to eat the fries, heat up the wok with sufficient oil to deep fry the fries. Fry in small batches until the fries are deep golden brown and crispy. Remove from wok and drain excess oil on a wire rack.

7. You can also bake the fries straight out from the freezer. Preheat the oven to 180 degree celcius, put the fries in a single layer in a baking tray and bake for around 20 minutes. 

8. Sprinkle the fries with salt. Toss and serve!