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How to Make Homemade French Fries

An average American consumes around 30 pounds of French fries annually!

French fries are one of the most famous fast food dishes savored by people all over the world. There is something incredibly comforting about French fries that makes us want to have them any time of the day. Be it 'chips' in the UK, 'pommes frites' in France, or 'plain fries' in the US, no one can resist the smell and scrumptious taste of freshly made French fries. Now these crispy, fried treats are incredibly easy to make at home itself. If you do not like those frozen fries from the supermarkets, here are some interesting recipes you can try yourself, without much sweat.

Good Old Classic!
french-fries
Nothing beats the classic salt and pepper French fries. They are simple and super-easy to make. For this recipe, use Maris Piper potatoes, as it is widely available, and its floury, creamy white texture will give that perfect yellowish color to your fries.

Classic French Fries
Calories: 271
Servings: 2

Ingredients
  • Maris Piper potatoes, 2 (cut into " batons)
  • Oil, for frying (any neutral oil like sunflower or soy)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

Soak the batons in cold water for half an hour. Then boil them in salt and water for 10 minutes, until they are almost cooked. Drain and let them cool. You can even keep them in the fridge to remove the moisture.

Fill the fryer with oil and heat to a temperature of 150 C. Place the potato batons in the oil and cook for 4 minutes. Take them out and let them cool for some time. Increase the temperature to 170 C, and fry the batons again for a crispy texture. Once golden, drain them out and add salt and pepper. Enjoy these super-crispy homemade French fries with tomato ketchup or mayonnaise.

Guilt-free French Fries!
french-fries
Sweet potato fries are not only yummy but healthier than normal spuds. So try this at home, and indulge in some guilt-free munching.

Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Garlic Mayonnaise
Calories: 194
Servings: 2

Ingredients
  • Sweet potatoes, 2 (cut into thin strips of '')
  • Olive oil, 1 tablespoon
  • Mayonnaise, cup
  • Garlic, 1 clove (minced)
  • Freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon
  • Salt, to taste
Method

In a large bowl, toss the potato fries in olive oil and set aside. Now spread them on a baking sheet, making sure it is not too crowded, or the fries won't be evenly cooked. Bake them in a preheated oven at 400 F for 40 minutes. Check on your fries from time to time, or they might get overcooked and dry.

While the fries are baking, mix the minced garlic and mayonnaise. Once the fries are cooked, let them set for 2 minutes, and then sprinkle salt and pepper on them. Toss with a spatula and serve with the garlic mayonnaise and lemon wedges.
(You can use the same recipe for a baked version of everyday potatoes.)

Mexican Twist to Classic French Fries!
french-fries
If you want to try something different, I would suggest you to try this Mexican chili lime version of French fries. It is spicy, and the lime adds that extra zing to it.

Chili and Lime French Fries with Cotija Cheese
Calories: 245
Servings: 2 to 3

Ingredients
  • Russet potatoes, 2 large
  • Oil, for frying (grape seed or sunflower)
  • Mexican seasoning mix, 1 tablespoon
  • Lime juice and zest, 1 tablespoon
  • Cotija cheese, tablespoon (crumbled)
  • Chili flakes, 1 teaspoon (if you like it really hot)
  • Salt, to taste
Method

Julienne the Russet potatoes into '' strips. You can use a mandoline to make faster and even strips. Soak the fries in water for 20 to 30 minutes to get rid of the starch. Drain and pat dry your fries, and keep them aside.

Next, turn on the deep fryer (you can use a heavy-base pot too) and heat the oil to smoking point. Place the fries in the oil and cook for 4 - 5 minutes (you just want to cook them partially for now). Take out the fries and spread them on a baking sheet to cool for 5 minutes. Turn up the temperature in the fryer and place the par-cooked fries back into the oil for another 2 to 3 minutes. Frying them twice makes them extra crispy. Once they turn golden brown, shake off the excess oil and toss in the Mexican seasoning mix, lime juice and zest. Sprinkle some salt and chili flakes. Mix well. Finish with crumbled cotija cheese. Serve immediately.

Not all French Fries are Potatoes!
french-fries
A great way to substitute the carb-rich potatoes in French fries would be turnips. They have less than half the calories of potatoes, and are rich in vitamins and minerals.

Crispy Turnip Fries
Calories: 140
Servings: 4

Ingredients
  • Turnips (purple-top or rutabaga), 2 (cut into French fry sticks)
  • Vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons
  • Onion powder, 1 teaspoon
  • Paprika, 1 teaspoon
  • Garlic salt, 1 teaspoon
  • Parmesan cheese, cup (grated)
Method

Preheat the oven to 450 F. Wash the turnips in water and pat dry. Place them in a plastic bag and mix all the other ingredients. Shake well to get an even coating on the turnip sticks. Now line a parchment paper with aluminum foil and grease with a bit of oil. Spread out the fries evenly on the paper and bake for 20 minutes, till they are tender inside and crispy outside. Serve hot with any dips of your choice.

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