Make Homestyle French Fries
Just about everyone enjoys really tasty fries. Therefore, this recipe is sure to delight most people. And in order to make them healthier to eat, certain steps will be taken. This recipe is quick and easy, which makes it even better.
Ingredients
- 3-4 medium to large Irish potatoes
- 1-1 1/2 cups self-Rising Flour (to substitute for self-rising flour, for every 1 cup all-purpose flour, add 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder plus 1/2 teaspoon salt)
- 3-4 cups oil
- Dressing, dip, or sauces
- Salt and pepper (optional, a salt substitute can be used in the place of salt)
- Garlic powder (for seasoning, also fights against cholesterol)
- Pure vegetable oil and extra virgin olive oil (combine the two oils)
- Choose either milk (high or reduced fat), beaten egg whites, or warm water (not recommended) to dip the fries in before they are coated with flour. It's all about personal preference; there's no right or wrong answer. If using egg whites, 3-4 should do the trick, but it will depend on the amount of fries.
Steps
- Do your preparations. Measure flour and sift or blend with a fork in order to remove any lumps. Have on hand a shaker bag (a small brown lunch bag will do), or have ready an area to roll the fries in flour. Have the skillet facing out and on top of the stove burner.
- Slice the potatoes. Begin by slicing each potato in half, and slice each half in to thick wedges. Each half should make three to four thick fries, which is the goal.
- Fill the skillet with oil, about half or even 3/4 near the top. It will need to be enough to totally cover the fries. The exact amount of oil you want will depend on the number of fries that one has chosen to prepare. One may only want to cook a few fries at a time as opposed to a larger amount. Use your own judgment on the amount of oil that will be needed.
- Dip the fries in milk, warm water, or egg whites before coating with flour. Then use a shaker bag (or prepared area) to fully coat the fries in flour.
- Turn the heat up to medium and allow the oil to get very hot, so that the fries sizzle upon being dropped in. Test the oil by dropping in one fry or a little chunk of wet flour.
- Add in the fries, but make sure that you don't add so many that they touch one another. When the flour begins to turn light brown, reduce the heat a bit and cover. This allows the fries to fully cook on the inside as well as the outside. Repeat until all fries are cooked.
- Serve the fries hot, for best results and taste.
Tips
- Have a platter set up with a few paper towels to put the cooked fries on. It will aid in soaking up any unwanted oily taste. Also, you may lightly press paper towels on top of the fries to take off a bit more oil. However, if fries are cooked just right, there shouldn't be too much oil.
- Use your own imagination on seasoning the fries. Simply add any seasoning in with the flour that will be used to coat the fries.
- A can of chili is another good item that will go great with this recipe. Simply open a can of chili heat and pour over the top of the fries. Turkey chili is a low-fat choice.
- For those of us that are cheese lovers, add some grated cheese (of choice) on top of the fries, before adding the chili.
- Any seasoning can be added directly in with the flour. Try paprika, oregano and/or seasoning mixes. Also, you can substitute some of the flour with breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan (any hard dry cheese) or cornmeal for a crunchy texture. You can also use various batter mixes (like tempura or samosa coating) instead of flour.
- Another great way to tastier home style fries is to melt some Velveeta Cheese in a pot, along with some jalapeño peppers. After it is fully melted and blended well, pour the cheesy sauce over the fries.
- Sliced black olives can be added to the Velveeta Cheese sauce. It can be to replace the jalapeño peppers or added in with them.
- Home style fries will go very well with ketchup, salsa, Hellmann's (Light) Mayonnaise, or Ranch Dressing. Simply dip the fries or pour listed items on top of the fries.
- Using a deep cast iron skillet is highly recommended. A lid will be needed to cover the skillet so that the hot oil will not pop and burn someone. It is needed to allow the fries to cook thoroughly.
Warnings
- Be sure that the oil is hot enough so that the flour will not fall off the potatoes as soon as they're placed in the hot oil.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet, causing the fries to clump or cling together. In other words, allow room.
- Ensure the oil does not get too hot, or it could catch on fire.
Things You'll Need
- Paper bags
- Deep cast iron skillet and lid
- Plate
- Paper towels
