I love French fries, and I love that 99% of restaurants include them as a side with their meals. No, Mexican or Italian cuisine should not include French fries, but hey, if an establishment decides to offer them, I won’t say anything if you won’t. Nothing takes a restaurant down a notch in mind than if they serve potato chips with their sandwiches instead of French fries. No, no. That is a deal breaker.
Now, whether you know it or not, there is a French fry hierarchy in place that we all need to remember. On the bottom of this ranking are soggy, limp, and thick French fries. On the top: skinny, crispy, and salty. In my opinion, the best French fries are super skinny, deep fried, crunchy, and salty. I unashamedly admit that McDonald’s is among my top favorites. But, going to McDonald’s whenever I want a French fry is just not pragmatic. So, I needed an easy method to make them at home.
Often when you bake fries in the oven, they turn out like roasted potatoes. Let’s face it, roasted potatoes are not French fries. However, this method from Cook’s Illustrated (love them) is the best way I have found to make crispy fries in the oven. These fries are crispy, soft, and perfect. I enjoyed these fries with some fry sauce and was a happy camper
Also, for you fellow Texan French fry lovers, my new favorite French fry is in Austin at Hyde Park Grill. I may just order a big plate of fries for my meal when I go there.
For the French Fries:
2 russet potatoes
2-3 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Fry Sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup mayonnaise
Pinch of salt
Hot sauce, to taste
For the French Fries:
Preheat oven to 475°F. Prepare a pizza stone or heavy duty baking sheet. Grease the bottom of the baking sheet.
Slice potatoes according to your thickness preference (on average, aim for 1/4 inch). Place in a bowl and cover with hot tap water. Let sit for at least 15-30 minutes.
Drain potatoes and rinse. Dry with paper towel and transfer to baking sheet. Mix with canola oil and spread in a single layer. Season with kosher salt. Cover pan with foil. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 14-18 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through. Remove from oven, and flip the potatoes. Bake for an additional 3-4 minutes, until golden brown.
For the Fry Sauce
In a bowl mix together ketchup, mayonnaise, and salt. Stir in hot sauce to taste. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
Serves 3-4 as a side dish.
You're exactly right…roasted potatoes are not the same as French fries! I have tried a technique where you boil then roast the fries that worked well, but your method sounds a lot easier! I'm going to make these soon!!!!
I have heard of the boiling method but never tried it myself. I think I compare & contrast is in order
Wow!I am a french fry fanatic and I will try this simple technique of just soaking them in hot water first. Genius.